Your Guide to Buying a Home in Overland Park, KS

Buying a Home in Overland Park, Kansas

Overland Park is located in Johnson County

Overland Park is the premier city in thriving Johnson County Kansas and while located within the Kansas City metropolitan area, Overland Park has developed its own identity, its own image and a reputation as one of the nation’s most dynamic corporate centers.

Overland Park offers many beautiful office park developments, most situated along College Boulevard, the heart of commerce in Overland Park.  College Boulevard office parks have fiber optic capabilities and are networked with ISDN technology. There is abundant vacant land available for both office and light industrial build to suit projects. This area serves as the headquarters for many regional and national companies.

Overland Park offers one of the most highly skilled and educated labor pools in the country. Over 40 percent of the adult population has at least a bachelors degree, twice the national average.

Nestled in the center of the United States, Overland Park is convenient and easily accessible from coast-to-coast and border-to-border. The Kansas City metro area's largest suburb, Overland Park is regarded as one of the nation's most dynamic corporate centers. As a matter of fact, we're home to more than 3,800 companies and serve as regional, national and world headquarters to such well-known corporations as Sprint, Universal Underwriters, Applebee's Restaurants, Yellow Corp and Black & Veatch. Located in the nation's heartland, Overland Park is the host to all four seasons ranging from fall's vibrant foliage to spring's lush greenery.

Overland Park is the second "smartest" city in the country, according to a study that examined cities with the highest percentage of residents age 25 and over with four-year college degrees. Overland Park has 46.4% residents with college degrees.

The Kansas City MSA ranks more than seven percentage points above the national average in the proportion of the adult population with at least a high school education. Johnson County ranks first among Kansas City metropolitan area counties and has one of the highest levels of educational attainment of any county in the nation.

AREA FACTS:

• Overland Park is the largest suburb of Kansas City
• Ranked top 10 in one of the wealthiest counties in the U.S.
• Retail spending is 27% greater than the national average
• #1 kid-friendly city in the country
• Home to four major league sports franchises
• 35 miles from Kansas City International Airport

With a storybook beginning, it is no wonder Overland Park has become one of the nation's premier cities. Overland Park was incorporated as a first-class city May 20, 1960 with a population of 28,085. The city now has about 152,000 residents, making it the second most populous city in Kansas. Our geographical area includes about 56 square miles of Johnson County, which is located in the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Prior to incorporation, Overland Park was part of the Mission Urban Township, which included the cities of Mission and Prairie Village. Overland Park's formation was based on land other communities shunned. The City of Overland Park traces its roots back to 1905 with the arrival of its founder William B. Strang Jr., who platted subdivisions along a military roadway. Strang envisioned a "park-like" community that was self-sustaining and well planned. He also sought strong commerce, quality education, vibrant neighborhoods, convenient transportation and accommodating recreational facilities.

Major employers include:
Accenture, Airport Systems International, Applebee's International, Ash Grove Cement Company, Black & Veatch, Farmers Insurance Group, Fort Dodge Laboratories, IMC Global & PRIMEDIA Business Magazines & Media.

In 1993, Overland Park earned a spot in the book 50 Fabulous Places to Raise a Family. Criteria considered included excellent education, low crime rate, good health facilities and well-planned developments. Overland Park was named again in the 1997 edition.

In 1996, the County Economic Research Institute ranked Overland Park number one among 13 AAA rated communities in the nation in a quality of life index. Factors measured included: education, local government cost, economic growth, infrastructure, crime, housing costs and population growth.

In 2001, Overland Park was named the second-best city in America to live by "Business Development Outlook Magazine." Today, Overland Park remains a nationally recognized city and has a thriving economy.

Overland Park, and nearby Kansas City, offer many attractions including everything from live theater and art museums to amusement parks and petting zoos.

New Theatre Restaurant, Celebrating 30 years of Dining and Entertainment. Experience 5-star American cuisine followed by a Broadway comedy or musical featuring stars from stage, film, and TV. Recognized in The Wall Street Journal as "the best dinner theatre in the country." Group rates (12 or more) range from $23.50 to $43.95 inclusive of show, dinner, choice of coffee, tea, or soda, gratuity and tax.

The 300-acre Overland Park Arboretum Botanical Garden offers a natural setting with walking trails, waterfalls, colorful flowers and a variety of gardens including a children's discovery garden and a legacy garden. At the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead visitors enjoy feeding farm animals, taking a hayride on a horse-drawn wagon, fishing in the pond and walking through a replica of an early 1900s farmhouse. If you are a gardening enthusiast, don't miss the Johnson County Master Gardener exhibit. Dick Clark's American Bandstand Grill is complete with memorabilia from Dick Clark's personal collection of music history.

Visitors also enjoy attending professional sports competitions including the Kansas City Royals (MLB), the Kansas City Chiefs (NFL), the Kansas City Comets (MISL), the Kansas City Wizards (MLS), the Kansas City Explorers (WTT) and the Kansas City Knights (ABA).