Johnson County, Kansas, is among the best 25 places to live in the nation, according to an assessment from 24/7 Wall St. magazine, and among the wealthiest counties in the country, with the typical household earning $79,000 annually. So if you’re thinking about buying a home in Johnson County, you really can’t go wrong. But which JoCo areas stand out as the best places to settle?
Here are our picks:
Olathe: If you’re buying a home in Johnson County, Olathe should top your list of options. Olathe was recently ranked the #23 most-livable city in the United States by USA Today. This suburb offers 73 public schools, including two of the top-five schools in Kansas, making Olathe a huge draw for families. It’s affordable (median home value is $217,300), with a low poverty rate (5.6%, bottom 10 in the nation) and high percentage of residents with at least a bachelor’s degree (49.6%, top 10). The typical home costs only 2.6 times the area’s median household income. Nationwide, the typical home is worth 3.6 times the annual income. Olathe’s 135,500 residents also enjoy lots of options for food, shopping and activities, including the Ernie Miller Nature Park.
Leawood: According to Niche.com, this is the best suburb in the state and the best place to raise a family, too. Leawood has everything, from fine dining to ever finer shopping, but can be considered exclusive, with a median household income of $139,000 and high property values. With average home prices at $398,000, however, Leawood is not for everyone. But for those who can afford it, it offers great schools, safe neighborhoods and six sprawling city parks.
Prairie Village: This small neighborhood borders Leawood but is more affordable, with median home prices at around $213,000. Prairie Village’s 19 public schools are top-notch, and its crime rate is slightly lower than that of Leawood. There’s plenty to do in this close-knit community, and locals say they enjoy the fact that Prairie Village has less traffic and is friendly for walkers and bikers.
Overland Park: This KC suburb is big, bustling and has a lot to offer families. It’s ranked as one of the top cities to live in the nation, and its population of about 182,000 would likely agree. The schools are highly rated, the homes are built on large lots and whether you want to shop at Oak Park Mall, walk Indian Creek Trail or try a new trendy restaurant, you’ll never be bored in Overland Park. It’s fairly diverse, with a median income of $72,500 and an average home price of $299,000, according to Realtor.com.
Lenexa: Average home prices are a bit more affordable here ($225,000), just southwest of Overland Park, but you won’t lose anything. In fact, Shawnee Mission Park is a big draw, offering swimming, hiking, boating and fishing for outdoor enthusiasts. Lenexa is home to just over 50,000 people and large, new construction homes are the norm here. With an average household income of $76,000, home prices are lower than nearby areas.
If you have questions about buying a home in Johnson County, just ask us! Team RE is your team of local real estate professionals and Johnson County experts. We are the No. 1 real estate team in Kansas and the No. 9 real estate team in the nation, as ranked by the Wall Street Journal. Call us today and see how we’ll go above and beyond for you, 913.451.5711 or www.teamre.com.