About 11 miles south of Wichita on the east side of the Arkansas River, Derby was actually once called El Paso when founded in 1871. To end the mailing confusion with El Paso, Texas, the city changed its name to Derby, although the name El Paso can still be found on streets, businesses, and schools. The city's population has grown from less than 500 in 1950 to more than 26,000 in 2023, and a lot of it has to do with its growing identity as a thriving Wichita suburb known for its community events, 500-plus acres of parkland and attractions that draw people from all over the region. "When I grew up in Derby, it was more of a bedroom community – just a sleepy little suburb where you raised a family while you worked in Wichita," says Elizabeth Stanton, a member of Derby City Council and a Realtor with Real Broker. "That's not the case anymore. Derby is probably one of the best examples of a tiny town turning itself into a sustaining community. People don't have to go to Wichita anymore. They eat, work and play here."
The phrase "Green is Magic" is a common motto heard around town, while the Derby water tower lights up green every night. It's all to show pride for the Derby Panthers' stellar high school sports teams, which don green and black. "Friday nights are definitely for football in Derby," says Stanton. "They put on a big production – the cheerleaders, the band and, of course, the football players who drag us to states every year." The high school is part of Derby Public Schools – Unified School District 260, which, according to the city website, is Derby's largest employer with more than 1,100 workers.
After Walmart, the city itself is the third largest employer with 212 workers, followed by Rock Regional Hospital with 157. The city also has several manufacturing facilities that bring in jobs, including BRG, which creates time-zone displays, and BG Automation's team of robotics designers. Among the many businesses pouring in is a project called Derby Shores. While Stanton says it's still in the early planning stages, Derby Shores is envisioned as an aquatic tourism site, built around a manmade water feature.
The Arkansas River runs through the edge of Derby.
Many of the homes in Derby are new-traditional dwellings.
Play a round of golf at Derby Golf & Country.
There are plenty of activities to enjoy in Derby.
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Events at local parks, dinosaur strolls and water slides
Derby has 20 parks that cover more than 500 acres, a point of pride for the city, according to Stanton. "We're known for our green spaces," she says. "Our crowning jewel is Madison Avenue Park. It has a state-of-the-art playground with turf, a splash pad and a pavilion called 'The Venue' that a lot of people use for weddings." The park hosts the city's farmers market each Saturday during the summer. Come winter, the park is used for a holiday tree lighting with hot chocolate and a visit from Santa. High Park is Derby's largest green space, with 2 miles of trails, two playgrounds and several fishing ponds. The park also features an amphitheater used for local theater performances and the city's biggest event, The Derby BBQ Festival, where people from all over the country come to showcase their cooking skills in a barbecue competition. Locals also enjoy visiting Warren Riverview Park, whether to launch a kayak into the Arkansas River or relax in the grass by the water.
Derby is credited as a Purple Heart City as it is known for honoring military members, including Purple Heart recipients. That respect is on display on the Walk of Freedom at Garrett Park, featuring five stations dedicated to each military branch with bricks to honor Derby veterans.
Derby also has attractions that draw locals and others from the Wichita region. Rock River Rapids is an exciting water park with several water slides, a lazy river and an Old West-themed aquatic playground. "We're constantly giving Rock River Rapids a facelift," says Stanton. "We just got a new slide, and we're getting a new one in 2025. It's a fresh experience every time people come." Derby is also notable for being home to Field Station: Dinosaurs, where visitors can dig for fossils and explore trails scattered with 40 life-sized, animatronic dinosaurs. Stanton says, "It's funny because when you Google Derby, dinosaurs are the first thing you see." But what locals are really excited about is what's to come: Derby Shores. The $160 million project will mimic that of an ocean with a white sandy beach. "You normally have these crystal lagoons in HOA communities in Texas," says Stanton, "But this is going to be open to the public. The only thing is we won't call it a lagoon. In the county, we have septic and what we call lagoon systems, so no one really wants to say they're swimming in a lagoon." Residents will have to wait a while, though. Construction was supposed to start in 2024 and end in 2026, but some red tape has slowed down the process, according to Stanton.
Madison Avenue Park in Derby has a large turf playground for younger kids to enjoy.
Cool off during the hot summer days at Rock River Rapids.
Look at a variety of dinosaurs at Field Station in Derby.
The activities at the Derby BBQ Festival are great for family fun.
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Two main roads full of stores and restaurants
Baltimore Avenue (Kansas Highway 15) is the city's mainstay of shopping and dining. The main road runs on the west side of Derby, lined with the bulk of the city's retailers and restaurants, including a mix of national and local brands. There are also a few places to shop and dine out on Rock Road toward the east side of town. According to Derby's website, the city is devoted to attracting small businesses in its economic development effort, applying resources such as the South Central Kansas Economic Development District to provide loans and grants to entrepreneurs.
There are several fast food chains available in Derby.
Stop by Hibachi boy for lunch in Derby.
The Sandbax is a popular hangout in Derby.
Get your daily groceries at Walmart in Derby.
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From modest 1950s homes to $1 million country estates in Tornado Alley
Many U.S. Air Force veterans decide to settle down in Derby with McConnell Air Force Base, host to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, about 9 miles north. Its close proximity is evident to residents who enjoy casual strolls through their neighborhoods. "It's so fabulous to walk your dogs on the wide sidewalks, and you look up and have these beautiful refueling planes in the air." Derby's 1950s housing boom came when thousands of homes were built for military members and their families following World War II. With those smaller homes to the west and Derby's newer housing stock to the east, the median home price comes in at $270,000. The edge of the city blends into the countryside of Sedgwick County, where homebuyers can find luxury houses on acres of land for more than $1 million.
While most of the 1950s houses have crawl spaces, Derby homes typically have basements and/or storm shelters to protect against tornados. Derby is in Tornado Alley with peak season from April to June. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which has been tracking tornados since 1950, the last tornado to touch down in Derby was an F3 in 1991. According to an article from The Wichita Eagle, the tornado tracked through Sedwick and Butler counties, damaging more than a dozen homes. There are no public shelters because the city deemed it too dangerous for people to drive to them in the middle of a storm. While Derby fortunately doesn't have much of a history with tornadoes, residents still know to remain vigilant. Stanton says, "Because storms don't just pop up out of nowhere, we usually have plenty of notice. So, you plan around it to stay at your buddy's house and watch TV in their basement." As for other weather factors, Derby experiences all four seasons, with the average summer high 92 degrees and the average winter low 21 degrees.
This newly built Derby home sits on a large piece of land.
Split level designs are very common throughout Derby.
There are several new housing developments throughout Derby.
There are a few different new duplexes for affordable living in Derby.
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A powerhouse sports program at Derby High
Derby Public Schools, Unified School District 260 earns a B grade from Niche. Students may attend one of nine elementary and two middle schools. They all feed into Derby High School, which earns a B grade and is known for its exceptional athletics programs in the 6A division. The Derby Panthers football team has made it to the state playoffs in 17 consecutive seasons from 2007 to 2023, appearing in nine state championships and winning six. The most recent state victory came in 2020 and the Panthers fell just short of the title in the 2023 championship game.
Derby High is a popular schooling option in Derby.
Stone Creek Elementary is a popular elementary school.
After elementary, kids can attend Derby Middle School.
Derby North Middle School has plenty of windows allowing natural light inside.
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An 11-mile drive to Downtown Wichita
With immediate access to Kansas Highway 15, residents can drive 11 miles north directly to downtown Wichita. While most people drive to get around Derby, locals have the option of taking a Derby Dash shuttle, which provides transportation around the city by appointment. Interstate 35 is about 5 miles away, which leads 150 miles south to Oklahoma City and 200 miles northeast to Kansas City. It's about a 15-mile drive to Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, which offers flights to 16 major cities, including Los Angeles, Atlanta and Dallas through six airlines.
Crime rate lower than Wichita
Derby has a lower crime rate compared to Wichita. "We all feel safe here," says Stanton. "I have no problem walking at night on the sidewalks." According to FBI statistics, 15 violent crimes were reported in 2023, down from 65 in 2022. There were also 101 reported property crimes, a drop from 567 in 2022. That puts Derby's 2023 overall crime rate at approximately 44 per 10,000 people, compared to Wichita's crime rate of around 592 per 10,000 people.
Kirk Short - Realtor, Team Leader of Wichita Home Team at Keller Williams
With over two decades of experience in the real estate industry, Kirk Short is a trusted name in the Wichita area, known for his dedication to client satisfaction and his deep knowledge of the local market. As the founder and team leader of the Wichita Home Team at Keller Williams, Kirk has built a reputation for delivering exceptional results, whether you’re buying, selling, or investing in real estate.
Kirk’s approach to real estate is centered around clear communication, personalized service, and a commitment to exceeding his clients’ expectations. His extensive understanding of Wichita’s neighborhoods, schools, and market trends allows him to provide valuable insights and guidance to his clients, ensuring they make informed decisions.
Kirk excels in helping clients navigate the complexities of high-end real estate transactions. However, his passion for helping people doesn’t stop at luxury homes—Kirk works with first-time homebuyers, military families, investors, and everyone in between, always with the same dedication to delivering results.
Outside of real estate, Kirk is deeply invested in his community and enjoys supporting local events and causes. His commitment to Wichita extends beyond business, as he strives to make a positive impact in the place he calls home.
When you work with Kirk Short and the Wichita Home Team, you’re not just getting a Realtor—you’re gaining a knowledgeable partner who is genuinely committed to helping you achieve your real estate goals.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
