Olathe, KS, known as 'The City Beautiful,' offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and modern urban amenities. Located in Johnson County, Olathe is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Kansas City (20 miles) and Overland Park (10 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Olathe's blend of scenic landscapes, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Olathe is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm Historic Site, the historic Ernie Miller Nature Center, and the scenic Lake Olathe Park. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Black Bob Park to the bustling Great Mall of the Great Plains, known for its shopping and dining. Olathe's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Midwestern cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Olathe Sweet Corn Festival and the Johnson County Old Settlers Days highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Olathe's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like MidAmerica Nazarene University contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Olathe is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Olathe Civic Theatre Association and the Olathe Community Orchestra are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Olathe provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Olathe’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Kansas City Chiefs (NFL) and the Kansas City Royals (MLB), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Olathe include healthcare, education, and retail, with significant employers such as Olathe Health and Garmin driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and bike-sharing programs, making commuting convenient for residents...
Cost Of Living
Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.
Crime
Crime per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the national average, making it a safe place to live. These crime statistics include both violent and property crimes.
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.
Health & Safety
Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.
Amenities
The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.
Commute
A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.
Olathe, Kansas is a medium-sized city with a population of 139,216 residents. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (84% White). Given that fact, Olathe could be considered less diverse than other cities.
Without the right tools, moving to any new city can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Olathe, Kansas could be a good experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. To help you find the best places to live in and around Olathe, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, crime, commute, health & safety, housing and more.
Olathe has a livability score of 77 out of 100 and is ranked #24 in Kansas and #2,310 in the USA. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Olathe could be a great choice! Olathe has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. If we take a closer look at each of the categories individually, we see that Olathe ranks well for crime (B+), cost of living (B+), education (B), employment (A+) and housing (A+). The bad news for Olathe, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F).
Unemployment rates can vary significantly among cities, impacting job prospects, wage levels and the overall economic health of an area. In Olathe, the unemployment rate stands at 2.28%, suggesting increased job opportunities and a heightened demand for workers. This scenario can lead to higher wages, as the demand for employees outpaces job availability. Importantly, a low unemployment rate often signifies a robust and flourishing local economy.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Olathe can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Olathe. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Olathe are affordable. Median real estate prices in Olathe come in at $252,900, which is 86.9% higher than the Kansas average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Olathe, the home price to income ratio is 2.6, which is 4% higher than the Kansas average.
| Statistic | Olathe | Kansas | National |
| Average one way commute | 22min | 19min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 80.2% | 82.2% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 8.2% | 9.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.2% | 0.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.8% | 2.4% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 9.7% | 4.2% | 4.6% |
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