A Kansas City suburb with a wide variety of amenities
When railroad mogul William B. Strang Jr. established Overland Park in the early 20th century, he dreamed of a well-rounded community with commercial power and outdoor attractions. More than 100 years later, it’s fair to say this area is a dream come true. With almost 200,000 people, Overland Park is now the second-biggest city in Kansas and is just a dozen miles outside of Kansas City, Missouri, the region's largest city.
The population in Overland Park has grown almost 14% since 2010, continuing to establish a community that offers well-rated schools, dozens of parks, the largest mall in the region and a housing market accessible to a range of homebuyers. “It’s great because it has a variety of price points to attract a variety of what people are looking for,” says Katie Strahan, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Partners and a native of the region.
Bring family & friends to The Overland Park Farmers’ Market, buy local, buy fresh.
Overland Park is home to Oak Park Mall, the largest mall in Kansas.
Overland Park is a community that offers well-rated schools and dozens of parks.
The Overland Park dining scene is best known for its barbecue.
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Options are aplenty across Overland Park
This city’s inventory spans from modest bungalows built in the early 20th century to modern, multimillion-dollar mansions. Overland Park’s older, more accessibly priced homes are concentrated mainly in the northern part of the city, while a lot of the newer, more expansive estates are situated to the south. “I think, with Overland Park where you might be able to get a little bit of a bigger lot or a bigger house,” Strahan says. The area has a fair share of condos and townhomes in developments like Haven at the Wilderness and Rock Creek.
Buyers can find condos or established single-family homes as low as $160,000, while the city’s most expensive properties top out at around $5 million. “That’s why I like Overland Park — it’s great because it has a variety of price points to attract a variety of what people are looking for,” Strahan says. The median sale price here, though, is roughly $500,000, which is slightly higher than the national median of $420,000. That’s also more than other major cities in the region, including Kansas City, Kansas, at $220,000, and Kansas City, Missouri, at $280,000. Listings in Overland Park last on the market for an average of about 60 days, longer than the national average. However, the number of sales across the Kansas City metro area, which includes Overland Park, is expected to rise slightly in 2025. That would snap a three-year stretch of declining sales, according to the Wichita State University Center for Real Estate’s 2025 Kansas City housing market forecast.
Overland Park offers colonial style homes in the Deer Creek neighborhood.
Residents in most Overland Park neighborhoods have homes on lots with mature trees.
Most homes in Overland Park are well maintained and some have updated amenities.
Overland Park's newer, more expansive estates are situated to the south.
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HCA Midwest Health System is the city’s largest employer
The second-largest city not only in Kansas but also in the Kansas City metro area, behind just Kansas City, Missouri, Overland Park has attracted various businesses across various industries. Overland Park is home to the headquarters for T-Mobile, the second-largest employer in the city. But it’s also the headquarters for Black & Veatch, an engineering and construction company with global reach. The city’s largest employer, with more than 10,000 people, is the HCA Midwest Health System. The HCA network includes the 343-bed Overland Park Regional Medical Center, a facility whose specialties include cardiology, neurology and orthopedic care.
Overland Park's largest employer, with over 10,000 people, is HCA Midwest Health System.
Overland Park is home to headquarters for T-Mobile, the 2nd largest employer in the city.
Black & Veatch, an engineering & construction company has its headquarters in Overland Park.
The HCA network includes the 343-bed Overland Park Regional Medical Center.
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From arboretum to farmstead, outdoor attractions abound
Part of what makes Overland Park a well-rounded city is its extensive park system. There are 83 city parks, the largest of which is Cross Creek Park, an almost 55-acre expanse with trail access. The roughly 40-acre Amesbury Lake Park has a 4-acre lake open to fishing. Roe Park offers an additional 40 acres of amenities, including a splash pad, tennis courts and multiple athletic fields. The 96-acre Scheels Overland Park Soccer Complex is a nationally renowned space with a dozen lighted turf fields, and it hosts multiple youth soccer tournaments annually.
The Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead is another recreation option offering wildlife and gardens. During the holiday season, the farm transforms into “Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane,” a drive-thru light show with accompanying music. Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is a 300-acre space with almost 2,000 plant species and multiple walking trails. The arboretum has its own holiday tradition in the Luminary Walk, when the gardens come alive with thousands of lights and music. “The arboretum’s beautiful,” Strahan says. “We’ve done different botanical gardens in Denver and St. Louis, and compared to other cities, I think the Overland Park one is lovely.”
Overland Park is part of a region that sees all four seasons, but winters can be cold, with an average of 17 inches of snow falling per year. The city has a handful of museums, including the Johnson County Museum, which tells the story of Kansas’ most populous county. The city’s Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art has been widely recognized for its collection and attracts 100,000 people each year.
Professional sports are also nearby. The NFL’s Kanas City Chiefs and the MLB’s Kansas City Royals play in Kansas City, Missouri, while the MLS’ Sporting KC plays at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas.
Overland Park residents can spend the day learning at the Johnson County Museum.
Locals walk the paved trails after work at Cross Creek Park.
Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens offers educational programs in Overland Park.
Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art is recognized for its collection in Overland Park.
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Oak Park offers a lot to peruse
Overland Park holds a retail distinction in the region — it’s home to Oak Park Mall, the largest mall in Kansas. Oak Park has more than 180 stores, including numerous big names – Macy’s, Nordstrom, H&M and Bath & Body Works. The mall also is home to several chain restaurants. The Overland Park dining scene — like the rest of the Kansas City region — is known for its barbecue. Q39 is one of the local favorites, an award-winning business with locations in Overland Park and Kansas City, Missouri.
Oak Park Mall in Overland Park includes numerous big named stores like H&M.
Q39 is one of the local favorites, an award-winning business with locations in Overland Park
Overland Park residents shop at Nordstrom in Oak Park Mall.
Locals in Overland Park may get some of their Christmas gifts at Bath & Body Works .
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Connectivity is part of Overland Park’s core
Several major highways cross through Overland Park. Interstate 35 is a link to both Kansas City, Kansas, and Missouri, which are just under 15 miles away. Commuters have access to the region’s RideKC network, which operates eight routes in Overland Park. Certain parts of the city, like downtown, are accessible without a car or bus thanks to more than 60 miles of bike lanes and 800 miles of sidewalks. Kansas City International Airport offers commercial flights and is 30 miles from Overland Park.
Blue Valley is one of multiple highly rated school districts in the area
Four public school systems stretch into Overland Park, including Blue Valley Schools, the Shawnee Mission School District, Olathe Public Schools and Spring Hill Schools. Blue Valley boasts an A-plus rating on Niche and is No. 1 on the site’s list of the best school districts in Kansas. Olathe and Shawnee are A-rated and are both in the top five best districts in the state. Spring Hill has a B grade.
Well-regarded private schools in Overland Park include the A-rated Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, which has kindergarten through 12th grade and a student-teacher ratio of 5-to-1. Higher education is available at Johnson County Community College, which offers 100 different degrees.
Younger students in Overland Park may attend Crestview Elementary School.
Blue Valley Middle School serves students in the southern part of Overland Park.
Students in Overland Park head Blue Valley Northwest High School for their education.
Shawnee Mission South High School welcomes students from Overland Park, Shawnee and Merriam.
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Crime
According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, Overland Park’s population-adjusted violent crime rate is significantly lower than the rates seen across Kansas and the country. Overall crime totals in the city have trended downward in recent years, according to Overland Park Police Department statistics.
Denise discovered a passion for real estate when she started buying investment property. Buying and/or selling a home is an important milestone in a person's life and it brings her great joy to help people find that perfect home. Armed with a wealth of experience in advertising and marketing, she can creatively market your home to prospective buyers. And if you're a buyer, she knows how to help you find that house you will love! Denise's husband, Scott, is also a realtor and they work together to bring you the tools you need to make the best real estate decisions. Her promise to you is to always be there for you...buyer, seller or investor...every step of the way and to bring added value to your real estate experience. Denise is a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and is a Certified Real Estate Negotiator, as well as a Senior Real Estate Specialist and Accredited Buyers Representative.
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