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...
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 is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Kansas. The city has a population of 143,626 inhabitants. According to the most recent Census, 84% of Olathe residents are White, 6% Black and 4% Asian.
Living in Olathe can be a positive experience for anyone moving to the town. Having said that, in the state of Kansas, there are many desirable 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. The best areas in Olathe and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from cost of living, education, employment, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Kansas and national averages.
Olathe has a livability score of 78 out of 100 and is ranked #22 in Kansas and #2,266 in the USA. Clearly, Olathe is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Olathe also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! If we explore each of the categories individually, we see that Olathe ranks well for crime (B+), cost of living (B+) and education (B). Olathe does not do well for the following: amenities (F). It might be wise to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
Crime rates play a pivotal role in the decision-making process for anyone considering a move, as they directly influence the overall sense of safety, security and quality of life in a given location. Olathe shines in this regard, earning exemplary ratings for its exceptionally low violent crime rates, standing at 196 crimes per 100,000 residents. These rates are notably below the national average, underscoring the community's commitment to safety and contributing to an enhanced quality of life.
Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Olathe has an unemployment rate of 2.4% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Olathe excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
Olathe real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Olathe. The median home price for Olathe homes is $444,735, which is 80.3% higher than the Kansas average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Olathe, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.1, which is 3.3% higher than the Kansas average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| 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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