First settled in the 1850s, El Dorado earned its Spanish name, meaning “The golden land,” for its beautiful scenery in the Kansas Flint Hills. The significance of that name was reinforced when the community struck “black gold” in 1915 with the discovery of oil. At one point, 9% of the country’s petroleum products came from El Dorado at HollyFrontier Sinclair Corporation’s oil refinery. Today, the refinery stands as the economic backbone of the community, employing around 400 people in a city where the population has fluctuated between 10,000 and 13,000 since the refinery opened. While oil plays a significant factor in keeping El Dorado running, the city is also known for its downtown Main Street and events that create a close community bond. “It’s a business-friendly community with welcoming and neighborly people who look out for each other,” says Greg Mudd, executive director of El Dorado Chamber of Commerce. “It’s no Podunk. It’s not like we’re riding around on horse and buggies. But you really sink into that small town, old-time feel very quickly.”
The cost of living in El Dorado, the county seat of Butler County, is 15% lower than the national average. That reason alone makes it a desirable place to live for those who are willing to make the 30-mile commute west to Wichita. Locals enjoy the city’s outdoor recreation options, from hunting to exploring Kansas’ seventh-largest lake. For some, it’s really just the simplicity of El Dorado's slow-paced atmosphere that draws them to the small city. “We don’t have a lot of traffic lights, and it’s just easier to get where you’re going,” says Mudd. “It’s not a drag race. People take their time.”
Visit the Kansas Oil Museum in El Dorado.
El Dorado residents can see the towers from the oil refinery throughout the city.
HF Sinclair is a large oil refinery in El Dorado.
El Dorado is a charming small town with plenty to offer.
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Established homes and new developments
The median home price in El Dorado is $150,000, $60,000 less than Wichita's median. Single-family homes make up the vast majority of properties. Most houses closer to downtown were built on leafy, grid-pattern streets between the early and mid-1900s. Development has been steady since the 1990s, with new homes popping up throughout the city, especially on the northeast side near El Dorado Lake. Some of El Dorado’s newest houses sell close to the city’s median and can range up to the high $300,000s. Though, a few have sold for as much as $630,000. Homebuyers looking for a project will find fixer-uppers for as low as $25,000.
Bungalow homes are very common in El Dorado.
Smaller and more affordable homes are very common in El Dorado.
There are several newly-developed neighborhoods in El Dorado.
This El Dorado Home sits on a large lot of land.
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Local shops and restaurants on Main Street
Brick and stone buildings from and before the 1920s line the downtown streets of El Dorado, housing local shops and restaurants. Residents can stroll along Main Street to visit boutiques, flower shops and other local stores. The area also has several places to eat and hang out, including multiple Mexican restaurants, cafes and bars. Locals can shop for groceries at Dillons on North Main Street. There is also a Walmart on South Village Road on the west side of town for other household essentials.
There are several small shops and restaurants in downtown El Dorado.
Find decorations for your El Dorado home at Walter's Flowers.
Grab some coffee from BrewCo. Coffeehouse in El Dorado.
Hog Wild Pit BBQ is a popular restaurant near downtown El Dorado.
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Education through El Dorado Public Schools and Butler Community College
El Dorado Public Schools earns a C grade from Niche. Students are split between three elementary schools before going on to El Dorado Middle School and El Dorado High School. The school district’s Extend Campus serves seventh through 12th-grade students, giving them a flexible environment with online courses. High schoolers are offered tuition-free college courses through a partnership with Butler Community College, located in the city.
Grandview Elementary School is a popular schooling option in the area.
After elementary school, kids may attend El Dorado Middle School.
Older kids in the area can attend El Dorado High School.
Alternatively, kids may attend Blackmore Elementary school.
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Outdoor fun at El Dorado State Park and community events
Residents have several recreation options in the area. El Dorado Lake is part of El Dorado State Park, which includes miles of hiking, biking and horse trails on the surrounding shoreline. There are several fishing piers and boat ramps around the lake. Campsites are also available throughout the park for visitors who want to make it an overnight trip. According to Mudd, a lot of people in El Dorado like to hunt. He says, “From farmland to around the lake, people out here hunt deer, pheasant, quail and ducks. There’s lots of private land that can be leased out for hunting, and there are hunting tour guides as well.” More recreation options are available at community parks within the city. Residents can visit Forest Park for a pick-up game of basketball or a dip in the swimming pool. North Main Park has a large outdoor playground, eight tennis and pickleball courts and a bike trail that connects to other city parks.
Several events are held throughout the year, the biggest being Gold Fest. Mudd says, “Gold Fest is similar to a fall festival you see in other towns, but we get some big-name artists. We recently had Smash Mouth and Air Supply perform.” The city also hosts several holiday events, including a Fourth of July celebration, a Veterans Day parade called Celebration of Freedom, and a Christmas parade.
Shady Creek Marina is a popular boating dock in El Dorado.
There are several trails to hike in El Dorado.
El Dorado's Forest Park has plenty of fun activities to offer.
El Dorado lake is a the most popular lake in the Wichita area for boating activities.
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Get around El Dorado and to Wichita
The downtown area of El Dorado is walkable, but having a car is necessary for getting around other areas of the city. Along with the refinery, locals can drive to the city’s other top employers, including Butler Community College and Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital. Residents have a straight shot to downtown Wichita along Interstate 35. The drive is about 30 miles and takes roughly 30 minutes. Highways 54 and 77 also run through the city, giving residents multiple north-to-south and east-to-west routes throughout Kansas. Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower Airport is the closest major airport, offering flights to 14 U.S. cities.
Lower-than average crime rates
According to FBI statistics, in 2023, rates of property crime and violent crime in El Dorado were lower than in the United States, Kansas, and Wichita. El Dorado’s crime rates have also been on a steady decline over the past few decades. 2023 saw a drop in most crime-rate categories, including theft, which is the leading crime in El Dorado, with 166 reported, down from 173 in 2022. In 2023, the El Dorado Police Department received the Platinum Community Traffic Safety Award from the Kansas Department of Transportation, which recognizes law enforcement agencies for their contribution to keeping roads safe.
Tornado awareness and air pollution mitigation
El Dorado is located in Tornado Alley, a Midwest region highly susceptible to tornadoes. Because of this, many newer homes and a few older ones are built with basements, the safest place in a home during severe weather. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which has been tracking tornadoes since 1950, the most impactful tornado to hit El Dorado was in 1958 – an EF4 that killed 15 people and caused $2.5 million in property damage. An even stronger EF5 tornado touched down in the city’s open country in 1991. One of the most recent twisters came through in 2009 and was heading straight for the refinery before it finally lifted. In 2003, the refinery was not so fortunate when a tornado toppled an oil tank.
El Dorado is subject to air pollution due to the HF Sinclair refinery, which is regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In 2020, the refinery was forced to pay $4 million in penalties for violating the Clean Air Act by exceeding emission limits. It has since declared a goal to reduce emissions by 25% by 2030.
Office: 620.488.2785 CONTACT ME PRINT Diana is a lifelong resident of Wellington. She has been married to her husband Ken for 37 years. They have 2 sons; Derek who works for the railroad and Preston who works at GKN. She also has 5 grandchildren; Lucas, Sarah, Jenna, Sadie, and LoganHer hobbies include furniture DIY, traveling, fishing, camping and enjoying time with her grandchildren. She has has 11 years experience in the real estate business and enjoys helping clients buy and sell homes. She is willing to help whenever and wherever she can. Give her a call anytime.
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