Midtown is a bustling Wichita enclave with Little Arkansas River access
Along the eastern banks of the Little Arkansas River, Midtown was Wichita’s original town site in 1865. Over the next decade, the area flourished as famed architect William Henry Sternberg built Victorian-style estates, many of which still stand today. The 3-mile Little Arkansas River Path takes residents to numerous green spaces, like the native species zoo at Central Riverside Park or The Keeper of the Plains statue, a local landmark since 1974. Cozy Mexican restaurants are tucked between industrial plants, and the area has cultural hubs like the Greek Revival-style Kansas African American Museum. “Midtown is equal parts industrial, commercial and residential. Plus, the St. Francis hospital is here, and that’s one of the largest hospitals in the city,” says Jack Silvers, the broker-owner of River City Realty, who has sold several homes in the area.
Midtown residents can enjoy a walk along the river.
Grab a bite to eat from The Monarch by Midtown.
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A rental-heavy enclave with turn-of-the-century homesHomes
Midtown’s sidewalk-lined streets are brimming with dwellings built throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s. Red-brick Tudor cottages sit on unfenced, 8,000-square-foot lots. Two-to-three-bedroom Craftsman-style bungalows have detached one-car garages. White picket fences enclose pastel-painted Queen Anne mansions, and mature oak trees shade five-bedroom American Foursquares. “These houses are by no means in horrible condition, but they are older, so some may need to be restored,” says Silvers. Though Midtown comprises 67% renters, buying here can cost between $150,000 and $400,000, a range in the same ballpark as a Wichita home’s average $250,000 selling price. Residents should be advised that the area holds an 8 out of 10 crime score on the CAP Index.
Homes in Midtown come in a wide variety of styles.
Find unique and historic homes in Midtown.
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Wichita Public Schools are easy to walk to
“Every school is within walking distance, and that’s a huge selling point,” says Silvers. Children here can attend Irving Elementary and Marshall Middle, both of which receive C-minus grades from Niche. Then, they may go to C-plus-graded Wichita North High School, where they can take canoeing classes on the Little Arkansas River. St. Patrick Catholic School is a private option in the area, serving kindergarten through eighth grade since 1962.
Midtown’s Park Elementary is now a future site for emergency housing and social services.
Irving Elementary in Midtown Kansas serves K–5 and ranks above average in Irving ISD.
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Parks alongside the Little Arkansas River and indoor hubs like The Kansas African American Museum
Numerous green spaces line the Little Arkansas River, including Woodland North Park, home to the La Familia Senior Center. From here, locals can hop on the Little Arkansas River Path, passing by Oak Park’s 18-hole disc golf course and North Riverside Park’s lily pad pond. The Murdock Avenue Bridge is covered in vintage lampposts, leading to the 50-acre Central Riverside Park. “Riverside Park is technically split into three parts, but Central Riverside Park is the main attraction,” says Silvers. A stone solar calendar and a bronze sculpture of a Spanish-American War soldier surround the half-mile walking path here. Children can cool off at the splash park during the summer, and over 25 species, ranging from hawks to red foxes, are at the Kansas Wildlife Exhibit. Where the Big and Little Arkansas Rivers meet sits the Keeper of the Plains, a 44-foot-tall steel sculpture of a Native American chief. Canoers and kayakers launch their boats at South Riverside Park and surround the statue on summer nights to watch a 15-minute-long ring fire burn around it. At the Robert D. Love Downtown YMCA, members can work in the fitness center and take swim lessons at the indoor lap lane pool. Cultural hubs in the neighborhood include The Sewing History Museum and The Kansas African American Museum, a former Calvary Baptist Church now home to rotating exhibits on local athletes and artists.
Kids can run around and play at Midtown’s Riverside Park.
The Kansas African American Museum is just one of several museums in Midtown.
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Mexican spots and an Irish bar near Wichita courthouses and a hospital
Midtown is filled with locally owned eateries, from casual Mexican spots to late-night locales. Mi Lindo Michoacan sells carnitas by the pound, while Rico’s is known for al pastor street tacos drizzled with lime crema. Neon Guinness signs and Celtic knot décor adorn the walls of Artichoke Sandwichbar, an Irish dive with live music five nights a week. Sweet Allie B’s patio is busiest on Saturday during brunch, when patrons can devour green chili breakfast burritos and sip beers brewed on-site. While the area has a few mini-marts and Mexican grocery stores, chains like Walmart Supercenter and Aldi are 4 miles north at the Intersection of Amidon Avenue and 21st Street. Local theatres, upscale restaurants and breweries in renovated warehouses are immediately south of the neighborhood in Wichita’s Old Town entertainment district. Law offices dot Midtown’s southernmost region, also home to Sedgwick County Jailhouse and the Sedgwick County Courthouse. Primarily used as a polling place, the Sedgwick County Historic Courthouse is next door, and its Victorian Renaissance architecture earns it a spot on the National Register of Historic places. Residents may hear sirens from the Wichita Firehouse 1 and the Ascension Via Christi St. Francis hospital, both along Murdock Avenue.
The Historic Courthouse is a great example of the unique architecture found throughout Midtown.
Merle's is another popular bar by Midtown.
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Easy access to U.S. Route 400 and numerous Wichita Transit bus stops
While locals can walk to school or stroll along the Little Arkansas River, Midtown is car-dependent. U.S. Route 400 is to the south, and a 6-mile drive west on the highway leads to the Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport. Bus riders will also find numerous Wichita Transit stops sprinkled around the 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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Midtown
US
Homicide
8
4
Sexual Assault
8
4
Assault with Weapon
9
4
Robbery
9
4
Burglary
7
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
7
4
Larceny
7
4
Crime Score
7
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Midtown Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Midtown, Wichita sell after 51 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Midtown, Wichita over the last 12 months is $145,000, up 15% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Edna MartinezKeller Williams Signature Partners, LLC
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Now Owner can finance! Ready to move in. This beautifully updated 2-bedroom home offers the perfect blend of comfort, style, and value! Bright and welcoming, it features brand-new energy-efficient double-pane windows, upgraded insulation in both the walls and ceiling, and a new roof and A/C system, ensuring year-round comfort and peace of mind. The bathroom, conveniently accessible from both
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Hold harmless must be signed and submitted to DJ before entering the home. A rare Tudor Revival investment in the heart of Wichita’s historic Midtown/North Riverside! Built in 1923 and noted in city historic records, this home offers timeless architecture and unbeatable potential. Distinctive Tudor details: steep gables, brickwork, and vintage character- make it the perfect canvas for
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