$250,597Average Value$194Average Price per Sq Ft5Homes For Sale
Former city and now distinct Lawrence neighborhood
North Lawrence was once the city of Jefferson, which in the mid-19th century provided the timber to help build Lawrence. Although it was annexed over 150 years ago, this neighborhood separated from the rest of Lawrence by the Kansas River still views itself as its own little town. “We’re one of a kind. We’re sand rats,” says Ted Boyle, president of the North Lawrence Improvement Association. Taken from the rodents that live along the river, the “sand rats” nickname started as an insult. The neighborhood now wears the name proudly and has even made sand rat T-shirts. Today, many enjoy North Lawrence for its close-knit community and rural feel. The neighborhood has blocks of ornate cottages dating as far back as Victorian times, while acres of farmland run along its outskirts. The neighborhood stays close through occasional gatherings like cookouts, where neighbors mingle over delicacies like barbecued rattlesnake. “It’s one of the oldest parts of Lawrence,” says Joshua Rukes, who works at the River Rat Skate Shop on North Second Street. “It’s a different feel when you cross over the bridge. It’s kind of an old town vibe over here, and everybody seems very close on this side of town.”
North Lawrence is home to the old Union Pacific Depot building.
North Lawrence has several local retails tucked into the neighborhood streets.
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From Victorian era houses to contemporaries
North Lawrence’s houses sit behind groups of tall and mature trees along narrow roads with no sidewalks. Some homeowners spruce up their houses with colorful flag decorations, while others protect their spacious yards with fences. Houses on multi-acre lots and barn structures exist on the northern end of the neighborhood. Architectural styles in North Lawrence range from 19th century Italianates and early 20th century Craftsman cottages and bungalows to mid-20 century ranch-style houses. Some two-story contemporary Traditional style houses have also been added to the neighborhood over the past decade. Price points here can run for $125,000 for a less than 1,000-square-foot ranch-style house to $585,000 for a larger two-story Italianate.
North Lawrence has a few different type of victorian style homes throughout the neighborhood.
You can find a few newer modern style homes tucked into the North Lawrence neighborhood.
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Tex-Mex staples and home to Johnny’s Tavern
Popular staples in North Lawrence include La Tropicana and the El Matador Cafe, both of which are popular for their Tex-Mex fare. And although it doesn’t quite have as dense a bar scene as downtown, there are some popular late night hangouts like Northside Social and Elmo’s Tavern. Northside serves cocktails and brews in a trendy space and hosts live music. Elmo’s patrons can enjoy cold beers as they shoot some pool. North Lawrence is home to Johnny’s Tavern, a city watering hole that is easy to spot with its beer and Jayhawks themed signs. The fare includes pizzas and both deep fried treats and burgers that can be enjoyed with the bar’s renown Wilson sauce. Those simply looking for some pastries and a fresh morning beverage can go to Uplift Coffee, which also has an outdoor patio complete with a live music stage. The cafe is up the road from the River Rat Skate Shop. A Dillons about 3 miles west provides a grocery shopping option.
Johnny's Tavern on the North side is a great place to meet up and watch the next big game.
Resident can find a selection of local restaurants on Locust St.
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Lyons Park has a great splash pad the kids with love on those hot summer days.
Meetup point in Lyons Park and hiking, water adventures at Riverfront Park
Located in the heart of the neighborhood, Lyons Park is a common meetup point for the community. The 10-acre site features tennis courts, a splash pad and a bark-covered playground complete with spiraling slides and climbing bars. Cyclists and joggers can spend time at the Lawrence River Trails, where the narrow 9-mile dirt loop goes through some dense woodlands and offers scenic views of the water. Kayakers can also take to the river. The expansive Riverfront Park offers more amenities, including an 18-hole disc golf course and space for dog owners to let their pets roam. Riverfront Park’s natural scenery includes well over 100 acres of native grasses, and birding fans will spot species like wood ducks and purple martins.
Free State High School has good sports programs.
Strong neighborhood school and private option in Prairie Moon Waldorf School
North Lawrence is home to Woodlawn Elementary School, which receives a B-minus from Niche. Woodlawn has taken in students from the recently closed schools in nearby neighborhoods like Pinkney. Students here then go on to Liberty Memorial Central Middle School and Lawrence Free State High School, which receive B and A-minus grades respectively from Niche. Liberty Memorial Central is set to launch a STEAM initiative that will encourage its students to participate in fine arts activities like band or theater. Niche ranks Lawrence Free State as among the top 20 best high schools for STEM in the state. The Prairie Moon Waldorf School near the Lawrence Regional Airport offers a private option. The Waldorf School teaches students from pre-kindergarten to seventh grade and works in art into all its classes to foster creativity. The students take courses in subjects like painting and drama, but also learn weaving, woodwork and metal work.
Neighborhood barbecues and annual Lyons Park potluck
One of North Lawrence's more well known gatherings is Boyle’s July 4 barbecue, which draws anywhere from 60 to 80 people. In addition to preparing smoked meats and other grilled fare, Boyle invites a band to play and entertain the crowd between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. And when it comes to what he serves exactly, Boyle doesn’t limit himself to conventional options. “Somebody might bring in some rattlesnake. I did barbecue raccoon one year. I’ve done beaver, also, and buffalo,” he says. The event is known to draw prominent local figures ranging from commissioners and the police chief to even senators. North Lawrence also organizes an annual potluck in September at Lyons Park.
I-70 gives resident's easy access to both Kansas City and Topeka.
Close to I-70 and Amtrak station
Interstate 70 runs just north of the neighborhood and provides a commuter route to both Topeka and Kansas City. The Lawrence Transit provides an alternative transportation option and keeps several bus stops along Locust Street. North Second Street — also U.S. Highway 59 — goes over the Kansas River to downtown, which is about 1 mile from the heart of the neighborhood. The proximity to downtown means North Lawrence is close to the city’s Amtrak Station. The passenger rail service’s Southwest Chief Train makes a stop in the city and goes as far west as Los Angeles. For out-of-state flights, many here will go to the Kansas City International Airport about 50 miles east of Lawrence. The Lawrence Memorial Hospital about 2 miles west of the neighborhood provides a nearby facility for major medical needs.
Important to know
North Lawrence has an overall CAP Index crime score of three out of 10, putting it slightly below the national average.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Crystal Swearingen,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Centennial Park
Burcham Park
John Taylor Park
Robinson Park
South Park
Riverfront Dog Park
Clinton Park
Woody Park
Lawrence Riverfront Trails
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
North Lawrence
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in North Lawrence, Lawrence sell after 23 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in North Lawrence, Lawrence over the last 12 months is $269,000, up 12% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Great North Lawrence lot with fresh interior and exterior improvements! Brand new roof has been installed! Not far from downtown, you'll find a spacious one level loved-on home. A freshly painted interior comes with three bedrooms, a large living room, kitchen and dining room, extra family room or non-conforming bedroom, and a spacious back yard! Just a fly ball from Lyons Park, make sure to stay
Located on a quiet street on the outskirts of North Lawrence this cozy retreat has so much to offer. All big ticket upgrades have been completed including a two year old furnace and a/c, two year old plumbing with filtration system, three year old water heater and updated electrical. All mechanical upgrades have been taken care of for you! This home is as cute as a button and sits on a very
Charming Fully Updated Home in Lawrence, KS! Welcome to this beautifully updated 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom home in the heart of Lawrence! Featuring brand-new HVAC, new windows, and a newer roof, this home is move-in ready and built for comfort. Step inside to find modern finishes throughout, with a bright and inviting living space perfect for relaxing or entertaining. The updated kitchen offers
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Crystal Swearingen,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
2,228
Median Age
40
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$52,431
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$54,219
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
93.2%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
37.7%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
11.7%
% Population in Labor Force
68.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
11''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
41/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
29/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
