Overland Park, KS, known as "The Heart of Johnson County," is renowned for its beautiful landscapes and vibrant community. Located in northeastern Kansas, Overland Park is approximately 12 miles southwest of Kansas City, MO, and 180 miles northeast of Wichita. This medium-sized city offers a blend of suburban charm and urban amenities, making it an attractive place to reside.
Overland Park's climate features hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters, providing ideal conditions for year-round outdoor activities. The city boasts numerous parks and recreational areas, including the scenic Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens and the expansive Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead, which offer trails, gardens, and opportunities for family fun.
The cultural scene in Overland Park is vibrant, with attractions like the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, the Johnson County Museum, and the Overland Park Convention Center. The city hosts a variety of events and festivals throughout the year, including the Overland Park Fall Festival and the Jazz in the Woods concert series, celebrating the city's artistic and cultural achievements.
Education is a priority in Overland Park, with institutions like Johnson County Community College providing higher education opportunities. The city's public and private schools are highly regarded, making Overland Park an attractive place for families. The presence of major healthcare institutions, such as the Overland Park Regional Medical Center, also supports a strong job market.
Living in Overland Park combines the benefits of a vibrant cultural scene with a high quality of life. Residents enjoy access to excellent healthcare facilities, diverse dining options, and a range of housing choices. The city's efficient public transportation system and well-maintained infrastructure make commuting and exploring the area convenient. With its cultural richness, excellent amenities, and welcoming atmosphere, Overland Park offers a dynamic and fulfilling living experience.
Employment
Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.
Schools
The schools category earns a high score due to factors like exceptional test scores, strong education levels and the close proximity of elementary and high schools in this area.
Nothing Found
There are no cons to mention for this area, as all of the categories were rated above average.
Located in the state of Kansas, Overland Park is a mid-sized city with a population of 197,888 people. The majority of Overland Park residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and Black. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Overland Park is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 20 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Living in Overland Park can be a fulfilling experience for anyone relocating to the area. Having said that, in the state of Kansas, there are many incredible places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, crime, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Overland Park and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Overland Park to Kansas and the national average.
Overland Park, KS receives 79/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #12 in Kansas and #1,670 in the USA. Clearly, Overland Park is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Overland Park has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Overland Park scores well for amenities (B-), crime (C+), education (B+), employment (A+) and housing (A+)
If you're considering living in Overland Park, it comes with numerous advantages, particularly in the form of an extensive selection of local amenities. These amenities play a pivotal role in elevating the quality of life within this vibrant community. From easily accessible grocery stores, to conveniently located fitness facilities, a diverse range of dining establishments and a multitude of shopping options, Overland Park provides a comprehensive array of resources for its residents. This ensures the effortless fulfillment of your daily needs and creates ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The convenience of these local offerings greatly contributes to the overall appeal of the area, making it an enticing destination for those in search of convenience, diversity, and a gratifying lifestyle. If you're contemplating a move, the abundance of local amenities could very well be a defining characteristic of this area. A few of the enjoyable things to experience and sights to see are: Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead, Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, and New Theatre Restaurant.
Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Overland Park has a violent crime rate of 184 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.
The unemployment rate in Overland Park has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 2.4%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Overland Park has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Overland Park is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Overland Park come in at $543,091, which is 120.1% higher than the Kansas average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Overland Park, the home price to income ratio is 4.1, which is 36.7% higher than the Kansas average.
| Statistic | Overland Park | Kansas | National |
| Average one way commute | 20min | 19min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 80.3% | 82.2% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 6.0% | 9.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.4% | 0.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.1% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.9% | 2.4% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 11.2% | 4.2% | 4.6% |
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