$164,712Average Value$100Average Price per Sq Ft12Homes For Sale
Ulysses is rural and remote but rich in community connection
Ulysses is a small southwest Kansas city with a friendly community and quiet surroundings. "There are a lot of people who were born and raised here, but also people who moved here from other states because they've heard about how peaceful it is," says Dianna Olivas, board of education administrative assistant and lifelong resident of Ulysses. The county seat of Grant County is named after Ulysses S. Grant and is home to about 5,800 residents. "It's so diverse here, and there's a good mix of Filipino, Mexican, German and American residents," Olivas says. "Everyone gets along with one another and looks out for one another. It's a very safe place to live and raise a family." The rural area is far from any big city and surrounded by farms as far as the eye can see. But an involved school district, city parks with a range of amenities and relatively inexpensive housing keep lifelong residents like Olivas around.
Homes surround the community water tower in Ulysses.
Ulysses delivers a quiet small‑town atmosphere with many amenities nearby.
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Home prices are well below the national median
Cape Cods, bungalows and ranch-style homes along the area's gridded streets and in small pocket neighborhoods range between $60,000 and $230,000. Trees shade lawns and sidewalks, and alleyways lead to detached garages or sheds behind small backyards. Many homes south of Oklahoma Avenue are manufactured homes, ranging between $70,000 and $160,000. Some split-level homes, brick ramblers and New Traditional homes from the past few decades sell between $230,000 and $350,000. The median sale price for single-family homes in Ulysses is around $175,000, less than half the national median.
Ulysses features Cape Cod–style homes that add charm to family‑friendly blocks.
Ulysses features many ranch homes with space for growing families.
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The district offers free summer meals and extra academic support
Ulysses United School District 214 has four schools, which teach about 2,000 students. Nearly 30% of the city's residents are under 18, according to the 2020 census. From prekindergarten through second grade, students learn at Hickok Elementary School, rated B by Niche. Sullivan Elementary School and Kepley Middle School both get a C, while Ulysses High School earns a B-minus. Olivas explains that the district regularly provides accommodation for students needing extra help. "Whether it's a tutor, paraprofessional or something else, the district helps out," she says. Additionally, the district offers free grab-and-go lunches to all residents under 18 throughout the summer, regardless of financial status. "The superintendent and staff are wonderful and care about the well-being of their students in addition to giving them a good education," Olivas says.
Kepley Middle School receives a C grade from Niche.
Ulysses High School is a great schooling option after kids graduate from middle school.
Hickok Elementary School is a popular choice for younger students in the city.
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Sports, gardening and leisure activities at Ulysses city parks
Frazier Park is an outdoor retreat with an RV campground, an 18-hole public golf course, sand volleyball courts and pavilions. Visitors can hike around the fishing lake, and the city asks park-goers to refrain from picking wildflowers to improve the area's floral diversity and keep pollinators around. Youth baseball leagues and the high school baseball team play at Grant County Recreation Ball Park and Carrithers Complex, which have six diamonds between them, two soccer fields and outdoor racquetball courts. Basketball players and gardeners can enjoy Barb Dye Park's court and community garden. During the summer's hottest days, Grant County Swimming Pool is full of people from all over the county.
Frazier Park has a wide variety of activities to enjoy.
Take an afternoon stroll along the trails at Frazier Park.
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Community unity led to a bold move and new beginnings
Arguably, Ulysses' most unique characteristic is its bizarre history. The original town was flourishing in the late 1800s, but crippling debt, extreme property taxes and a dwindling population left it with little to show in the early 1900s. So, the remaining residents decided to move Ulysses' last few buildings about three miles west, where they'd be free from their existing bonds and released from debilitating debt. Over three months in 1909, buildings were loaded onto skids and wagons and pulled by horses to their new location. Old Ulysses was left with only a brick school building, and New Ulysses could attract new residents again. Little evidence remains of the move, but the story is told in Ulysses as an example of community determination and unity.
Artwork and murals can be found on walls throughout Ulysses.
Residents enjoy visiting a variety of shops throughout Ulysses.
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The small downtown area comes to life each Tuesday evening
Main Street has locally owned restaurants, specialty shops and a movie theater. The Grant County Farmers and Makers Market takes place each Tuesday evening on the corner of Grant Avenue and Main Street. "It's a big deal, and everyone goes," Olivas says. Vendors sell everything from fresh produce to local meat to handmade crafts, and local restaurants set up booths and trailers with specialty menu items. Cuisine in Ulysses reflects the area's diversity, and there are many Hispanic restaurants, including Alejandro's, La Estrella and El Ranchito Café. Fast-food chains are on West Oklahoma Avenue, and residents do their grocery shopping at Lowe's Market or one of two dollar stores.
Residents enjoy a range of dining choices across Ulysses.
Ulysses features a variety of places to eat around town.
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Surrounded by farmland but connected by two highways
U.S. Route 160 and Kansas Highway 25 intersect in the middle of Ulysses and connect to other small communities in the region. Garden City and Dodge City are larger and more prominent southwest Kansas cities, 50 and 75 miles away, respectively. Garden City Regional Airport has domestic flights and is about 65 miles northeast. CommonSpirit Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital is in Ulysses.
Written By
Heather Haggerty
Photography Contributed By
Bob Yukich
Video By
Grace Kim
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Fred Askren,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Ulysses, KS sell after 68 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Ulysses, KS over the last 12 months is $160,000, down 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This southwest Kansas full section of agricultural property features 413 base acres of productive tillable cropland and +/-204 acres enrolled in CRP. There are two CRP contracts in place that produce a total of more than $8,000 in yearly payments. With an entire contiguous section, this property is convenient for local producer and it also provides a good investment opportunity for a absentee
Located just off County Road 20 near Ulysses, this 153-acre property offers an excellent opportunity for agricultural and recreational use. The North Fork Cimarron River runs through the north end of the property, providing natural water access. This tract is well-suited for a cattle operation, with plenty of open space and strong potential for grazing. Outdoorsmen will also appreciate the
Contact Stutzman Realty & Auction to shedule a showing of this well-maintained 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offering functional living space and recent updates. Interior features include newer flooring throughout, updated bathrooms, a wood-burning fireplace and a spacious living area suitable for everyday living and entertaining. The property also includes storage sheds, providing additional space
This beautifully updated 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom home is in a great Ulysses location, close to schools and the high school football field. This home offers peace of mind with a brand new roof, fresh exterior paint, and a newly installed sewer system. Inside, you'll find many updates along with newer kitchen appliances that are all included. The property also features a single car detached garage
Wait until you see the updates in this well-maintained home. The kitchen features several recent improvements including new countertops, updated lighting, and new appliances, creating a fresh and functional space for everyday living and entertaining.Additional updates throughout the home include fresh interior paint and thoughtful improvements that contribute to the home's updated and refreshed
This southwest Kansas full section of agricultural property features 413± base acres of productive tillable cropland and +/-204 acres enrolled in CRP. There are two CRP contracts in place that produce a total of more than $8,000 in yearly payments. With an entire contiguous section, this property is convenient for local producer and it also provides a good investment opportunity for a absentee
Located just off County Road 20 near Ulysses, this 153-acre property offers an excellent opportunity for agricultural and recreational use. The North Fork Cimarron River runs through the north end of the property, providing natural water access. This tract is well-suited for a cattle operation, with plenty of open space and strong potential for grazing. Outdoorsmen will also appreciate the
This well-maintained home has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths on the main level. The laundry room is also located on the main level. The kitchen features solid surface countertops and updated appliances. The full basement and the yard have a full sprinkler system. Located on the very North side of Ulysses. Call Bobbi Higgs at Faulkner Real Estate Inc for a showing. 620-356-5808 faulknerrealestate.inc
The house is sitting on 10 acres and has 2,334 sq/ft with 5 bedrooms and 1 1/2 bathrooms. It has a 3 car detached garage and a large Ag shop! Recently remodeled with new bathrooms, flooring, paint, and lighting! Call Julia Anderson with Stutzman Realty & Auction at 620-510-2422.
Welcome to your peaceful country retreat, perfectly situated between Lakin and Ulysses, Kansas. Spanning 38.6 fully fenced and cross-fenced acres with mature windbreaks, this income-producing property is ideal for both livestock and equine operations. Cattle facilities include 150 ft of concrete feed bunks, two grow pens accommodating 75+ head, pipe-fenced corrals, and both ground and semi
Charming 3 bedroom, 2 bath slab home in a desirable duplex community. This well-maintained unit offers single-level living with an open floor plan, spacious bedrooms, and modern finishes for easy comfort. Perfect for homeowners or investors - purchase one unit or inquire about acquiring all three duplexes for a unique investment opportunity. Conveniently located near shopping, dining, and main
Charming 3 bedroom, 2 bath slab home in a desirable duplex community. This well-maintained unit offers single-level living with an open floor plan, spacious bedrooms, and modern finishes for easy comfort. Perfect for homeowners or investors - purchase one unit or inquire about acquiring all three duplexes for a unique investment opportunity. Conveniently located near shopping, dining, and main
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