Farmland gives way to subdivisions in the small town of Tonganoxie
As Kansas City expands, growth is beginning to change the landscape of Tonganoxie, affectionately called "Tongie" by locals. "The outskirts used to be Basehor , and now Basehor has kind of been engulfed in the city," says Lori Hobbs, a broker with Lori Hobbs Real Estate who has over 20 years of experience in the area. "And so now the next little area out is Tonganoxie. And it's doing the same thing." Tonganoxie is still a small town where neighbors meet at the farmers market and kids raise animals for the county fair. But farmland is being overtaken by modern subdivisions, and more businesses are moving in.
Hobbs says her clients are often interested in Tonganoxie because "people know each other, there's a lot of community feel and the schools are great." She adds that the ability to own land is another draw, especially at lower price points than surrounding areas.
Newer homes with the chance to own land
Outside of the older city center, most homes in Tonganoxie were built after the 1980s. There are several subdivisions with uniform New Traditional homes and paved sidewalks. In other areas, homes are far apart in the rural countryside. "There are a lot of 5-acre tracks around there where people build houses or there are houses already on them for sale," Hobbs says. "So, if you want a little more land, it's kind of the place to go."
Although some older homes start as low as $175,000, the majority of houses range from $215,000 to $500,000. Custom-built properties with acreage might get up to $800,000. Condos are typically priced from $230,000 to $275,000.
The city's CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, less than the national average of 4.
High schoolers can take dual credit and agriculture courses
Tonganoxie Elementary gets a B-minus grade from Niche, Tonganoxie Middle receives a C-plus and Tonganoxie High gets a B-minus. The high school has an active Future Farmers of America chapter and vocational agricultural classes. High school students can also attend Kansas City Kansas Community College Technical Education Center for dual enrollment and career courses like welding or culinary arts.
Country attractions include ATV riding, fishing and local parks
Walking trails connect several parks in downtown Tonganoxie, winding around sports courts and playgrounds. Tonganoxie Water Park is busy in the summer, and the Tonganoxie Public Library has a state-of-the-art building that opened in 2019. Residents can also enjoy the rural atmosphere in their own yards or by driving out into the countryside. "There's a lot of outdoor-type activities that people do, whether it's fishing, hunting, riding bikes, ATVs, trails, little lakes," Hobbs says. Leavenworth State Fishing Lake and Grinter Farms, well known for its sunflower fields, are both about 5 miles away.
Growing local businesses include a new brewery
Tonganoxie has a quaint main street with coffee shops and homestyle eateries like 1866 Bar & Grill. Hobbs says that more and more local businesses have been opening up, including Country Road Brewing in the spring of 2025. "It's all home-cooked food, so they have more than just beer — it's a restaurant," Hobbs says. "And they do little events all the time, too. They'll have cornhole competitions." There aren't many large stores in the area, but locals can get groceries at the DG Market or Brothers Market, a combination hardware and grocery store.
Events in Tonganoxie have a small-town atmosphere
Tongie Days celebrates the community's heritage with food vendors, artisan booths and local musicians. In the spring, there's a St. Patrick's Day Parade, and in the fall, families can bring their kids to go trick-or-treating through downtown businesses. The city's largest event is the Leavenworth County Fair, a classic small-town fair with carnival games, a parade and a pie-baking contest. The fair also includes a competition for the longest-married couple in Leavenworth County.
Commuting to Kansas City, Lawrence or Topeka
It's about 30 miles to get to the heart of Kansas City by taking U.S. Route 40 and then Interstate 70. Kansas City International Airport is just under 40 miles away. Lawrence is 15 miles away on Route 40 and is home to LMH Health, the closest hospital. Topeka is 40 miles away on I-70. Fort Leavenworth, a U.S. Army base, is over 20 miles north.
Tonganoxie has a growing industrial park just south of the city. In 2023, Hill's Pet Nutrition opened a $250 million manufacturing facility there.
According to an urban legend, Tonganoxie is storm-resistant
Although Tonganoxie has been affected by some tornadoes in the past, many locals swear that severe storms tend to weaken as they break up around the city — an urban legend called the Tonganoxie Split. "Farmers from around there totally believe it's a fact," says Hobbs, adding, "I've seen it happen. But I don't think anybody has a good reason for why it does. Some of them say it's because of the topography."
While Tonganoxie's risk of wind-related storms is minor, according to First Street, the city does have a major risk of wildfires.
Written By
Catherine Lashley
