Olathe (pronounced O-lay-the) is located in Johnson County and is one of the best places to live in Kansas.  The city offers a dense suburban feel where most residents own their own homes and many families and young professionals live.  It ranks well in a combination of great education, low crime, and affordability. Olathe truly has something for everyone, and that’s why it is a great place to call home.

Olathe is the site of the Kansas State School for the Deaf (founded in 1861 and moved to Olathe in 1866) and MidAmerica Nazarene University (1966). The city’s 19th-century heritage is preserved at the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm. 

Centrally located, the Community Center has a variety of group exercise classes, a fitness floor with weights and cardio equipment, an indoor walking/jogging track, a gym with three basketball courts, indoor pool, and rental spaces. Memberships now include unlimited admission to City of Olathe outdoor pools with Splash Pass.  The Community Center also hosts free outdoor weekly concerts during the summer.

Ernie Miller Park & Nature Center is a 116-acre nature preserve featuring trails & an education center with animals, exhibits, & programs.  Lake Olathe Park features a 170-acre lake surrounded by a 258-acre community park.  The city also has 2 public and 2 private golf courses for the golf enthusiast!

The Olathe Farmers’ Market operates April through October, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, to offer a variety of baked goods, flowers, fresh produce, plants, and more. Most items are produced regionally within 250 miles of Olathe.

For your furry friends the Heritage Park Dog Off-Leash Area is a great spot for your canine to enjoy!  It is a 30-acre area with a fenced open space and a small pond. The off-leash area is accessible from all entrances of the park.  There are many parks and trails to enjoy.

With multi-use paved as well as single-track trails located throughout Johnson County, you’ll have a hard time picking your favorite! Try the Gary L. Haller Trail in the Mill Creek Streamway Park with approximately 14 miles of pedestrian and bicycle trails, the 3.4 mile Coffee Creek Streamway Park, or the 7 mile Kill Creek Streamway Park…just to name a few.

Some of the top employers in Olathe are Garmin, headquartered in Olathe, Grundfos, DH Pace, TransAm Trucking, NIC, OTR Express, and Mid-America Nazarene University.

Olathe is approximately 30 minutes from downtown Kansas City, MO home to the Country Club Plaza and Crown Center with shopping, dining, and entertainment.  Crown Center and Union Station have several free attractions:  Hallmark Visitors Center, Kaleidoscope, Kids Play area, Model Trains, and Money Museum.

Both the KC Royals and the KC Chief Stadiums are within 45 minutes of the city for the sports enthusiasts in your family.