Overland Park, Kansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Overland Park, Kansas
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95th and Metcalf at sunset (2013)
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Location within Johnson County and Kansas
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Kansas | ||
| County | Johnson | ||
| Incorporated | 1960 | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 75.64 sq mi (195.91 km2) | ||
| • Land | 75.18 sq mi (194.72 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.46 sq mi (1.19 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 951 ft (290 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 197,238 | ||
| • Density | 2,607.59/sq mi (1,006.779/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) | ||
| ZIP codes |
66204, 66207, 66210, 66212-66214, 66221, 66223-66224
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| Area code | 913 | ||
| FIPS code | 20-53775 | ||
| GNIS ID | 485639 | ||
Overland Park (oh-VƏR-lend park) is a large city in Johnson County, Kansas, United States. It is the second-most populated city in the state of Kansas. Overland Park is a main city in the Kansas City metropolitan area. It is also the biggest suburb of Kansas City, Missouri. In 2020, the city's population was 197,238 people.
Contents
History of Overland Park
In 1905, a man named William B. Strang Jr. came to the area. He started planning new neighborhoods along an old military road. This road later became a main street in the city. He helped develop much of what is now downtown Overland Park.
On May 20, 1960, Overland Park officially became a "city of first class." This means it reached a certain size and importance. At that time, it had 28,085 people. In less than 30 years, the population grew a lot, reaching 111,790 by 1990. By 2010, it was 173,250. In the early 2000s, Overland Park became the second-largest city in Kansas. It grew bigger than Kansas City, Kansas, and was only smaller than Wichita, Kansas.
The city grew quickly because new neighborhoods were built on undeveloped land. This is called "suburban development." Overland Park also grew by adding nearby areas, a process called annexation. The city now covers about 75 square miles (195 square kilometers). It stretches almost the entire length of Johnson County from north to south.
Geography and Climate
Overland Park is in the northeastern part of Kansas. It is located where two major highways, Interstate 435 and U.S. Route 69, meet. The city center is about 13 miles (21 km) south of downtown Kansas City, Missouri.
The city is on the northern edge of the Osage Plains. This is a flat, grassy area. Several creeks flow through the city. These include Turkey Creek, Indian Creek, Tomahawk Creek, and Negro Creek. These creeks eventually flow into the Blue River.
The city covers a total area of about 75.37 square miles (195.21 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 74.84 square miles (193.84 square kilometers), is land. The rest is water.
Overland Park is a main city in the Kansas City metropolitan area. It shares borders with many other towns. To the north is Kansas City, Kansas. To the east are Prairie Village and Leawood. To the west are Olathe and Lenexa.
Weather in Overland Park
Overland Park has a mix of two climate types. It has hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. This means you can experience all four seasons clearly.
| Climate data for Overland Park, Kansas | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 74 (23) |
81 (27) |
85 (29) |
91 (33) |
95 (35) |
105 (41) |
114 (46) |
107 (42) |
106 (41) |
98 (37) |
84 (29) |
76 (24) |
114 (46) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 38 (3) |
45 (7) |
56 (13) |
67 (19) |
76 (24) |
84 (29) |
89 (32) |
88 (31) |
80 (27) |
69 (21) |
54 (12) |
42 (6) |
66 (19) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 20 (−7) |
25 (−4) |
35 (2) |
45 (7) |
55 (13) |
64 (18) |
69 (21) |
67 (19) |
58 (14) |
47 (8) |
35 (2) |
24 (−4) |
45 (7) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −18 (−28) |
−12 (−24) |
−8 (−22) |
13 (−11) |
30 (−1) |
43 (6) |
48 (9) |
46 (8) |
30 (−1) |
18 (−8) |
1 (−17) |
−22 (−30) |
−22 (−30) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 1.26 (32) |
1.27 (32) |
2.74 (70) |
3.78 (96) |
5.41 (137) |
5.22 (133) |
4.03 (102) |
3.56 (90) |
4.69 (119) |
3.48 (88) |
2.97 (75) |
1.76 (45) |
40.17 (1,020) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 5.70 (14.5) |
4.00 (10.2) |
2.90 (7.4) |
0.50 (1.3) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0.10 (0.25) |
1.10 (2.8) |
3.00 (7.6) |
17.30 (43.9) |
Neighboring Cities
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Shawnee | Kansas City, Kansas | Mission | |
| Lenexa |  |
Prairie Village | ||
 Overland Park  |
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| Olathe | Leawood |
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1960 | 21,110 | — | |
| 1970 | 76,623 | 263.0% | |
| 1980 | 81,784 | 6.7% | |
| 1990 | 111,790 | 36.7% | |
| 2000 | 149,080 | 33.4% | |
| 2010 | 173,372 | 16.3% | |
| 2020 | 197,238 | 13.8% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 197,089 | 13.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2010-2020 |
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Overland Park has grown a lot over the years. In 2020, nearly 200,000 people lived there. The city is home to people from many different backgrounds.
2020 Census Information
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 131,782 | 140,087 | 144,363 | 88.40% | 80.80% | 73.19% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 3,729 | 7,357 | 8,854 | 2.50% | 4.24% | 4.49% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 349 | 465 | 426 | 0.23% | 0.27% | 0.22% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 5,687 | 10,846 | 18,311 | 3.81% | 6.26% | 9.28% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 51 | 64 | 87 | 0.03% | 0.04% | 0.04% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 126 | 262 | 825 | 0.08% | 0.15% | 0.42% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 1,736 | 3,380 | 8,949 | 1.16% | 1.95% | 4.54% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5,620 | 10,911 | 15,423 | 3.77% | 6.29% | 7.82% |
| Total | 149,080 | 173,372 | 197,238 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
The U.S. Census collects information about race and ethnicity. In 2020, about 73% of the people in Overland Park were White (not Hispanic). About 9% were Asian, and about 4.5% were Black. About 7.8% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
2010 Census Information
In 2010, Overland Park had 173,372 people living in 71,443 households. About 30% of households had children under 18. The average age in the city was 37.8 years old.
The median income for a household was $71,513. This means half of the households earned more than this, and half earned less. For families, the median income was $93,293.
Economy and Jobs
The economy of Overland Park is mostly based on services. This means many jobs are in areas like health care, retail stores, and technology. Some big companies have their main offices here. These include Black & Veatch, Ash Grove Cement Company, and Compass Minerals. The city also tries to attract technology companies.
Many people in Overland Park work in management, business, science, and arts. Other common jobs are in sales and office work. The biggest employers in the city include T-Mobile (which used to be Sprint), the Shawnee Mission School District, and Johnson County Community College.
Living in Overland Park is generally less expensive than the average U.S. city. The cost of living index is 88.2, compared to a U.S. average of 100.
Major Employers
Here are some of the top employers in Overland Park:
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | T-Mobile | 6,300 |
| 2 | Shawnee Mission School District | 3,974 |
| 3 | Blue Valley School District | 3,313 |
| 4 | Black & Veatch Engineering Consultants | 2,649 |
| 5 | Johnson County Community College | 2,377 |
| 6 | OptumRx | 2,000 |
| 7 | Waddell & Reed Financial | 1,350 |
| 8 | Overland Park Regional Medical Center | 1,200 |
| 9 | City of Overland Park | 1,142 |
| 10 | Empower Retirement | 1,000 |
Education for All Ages
Overland Park has many schools for students of all ages.
Schools for Kids and Teens
The city is served by four main public school districts. The Shawnee Mission School District covers the northern part of the city. The Blue Valley School District covers most of the southern part. Both districts have many elementary, middle, and high schools. Parts of western Overland Park are in the Olathe Public Schools district. A small part in the southwest is in the Spring Hill School District.
There are also over 12 private schools in Overland Park. These include Catholic schools like St. Thomas Aquinas High School. There are also Lutheran schools, other Christian schools, and a Jewish school called Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy.
Colleges and Universities
Overland Park is home to several colleges and universities. These include:
- Cleveland University-Kansas City
- Ottawa University – adult campus
- University of Kansas Edwards Campus
- Johnson County Community College
- Baker University – satellite campus
- Emporia State University – satellite campus
- Kansas Christian College
- Rasmussen College
Libraries for Everyone
The Johnson County Library has 14 locations across the county. Three of these libraries are in Overland Park: Blue Valley, Central Resource, and Oak Park. The library system started in the early 1950s. They work with other groups, like the Department of Health. They offer volunteer programs, magazines, and ways to learn new languages.
City Services and Transportation
Getting Around Overland Park
Major highways run through Overland Park. Interstate 435 and U.S. Route 50 go east and west through the city. Interstate 35 runs through the northwestern part. These highways connect Overland Park to other cities.
Johnson County Transit, also called "The JO," provides bus services. These buses connect Overland Park to other suburbs and downtown Kansas City, Missouri.
For air travel, Kansas City International Airport is about 22 miles (35 km) north of the city. There is also a smaller airport, Johnson County Executive Airport, nearby for private planes.
Train lines for freight run through the city. For passenger trains, Kansas City's Union Station is about 8 miles (13 km) away. It is a stop for Amtrak passenger trains.
City Utilities
Evergy provides electricity to Overland Park. Companies like Google Fiber, AT&T, and Spectrum offer cable TV, phone, and internet services. Most homes use natural gas for heating, provided by Atmos Energy and Kansas Gas Service.
WaterOne manages the city's water supply. The Johnson County Wastewater department handles wastewater. Many private companies offer trash and recycling services.
Media and News
The Kansas City Star is the main daily newspaper for the Kansas City area. It covers local news and has a special section for Johnson County. There are also two newspapers published in Overland Park itself. These are the Campus Ledger, a student newspaper for Johnson County Community College, and Kansas City Nursing News, a weekly publication for nurses.
Overland Park is part of the Kansas City radio and television markets. One radio station, KCCV, broadcasts from Overland Park. It plays Christian music and programs. KCCV is the main station for the Bott Radio Network, which has its headquarters in Overland Park.
Parks and Fun Activities
Overland Park has over 1,800 acres (7.3 square kilometers) of park land. The city has 72 parks with many things to do. You can find golf courses, sand volleyball courts, and hiking and biking trails. There are also playgrounds, tennis courts, and basketball courts.
Places to Visit and Enjoy
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The Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is a large, beautiful area of 300 acres (120 ha). It has many different plants and gardens. The Oak Park Mall is a popular shopping center with nearly 200 stores.
The Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center is home to the Johnson County Museum. It also has KidScape, a fun area for kids. You can also find a theater company and art programs there.
The Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead is a 12-acre (4.9 ha) farm. It has animals, hay rides, and a fishing pond. There's even an old school house from the early 1900s and a gold mining camp for kids.
Overland Park has two public golf courses: St. Andrews Golf Club and Sykes Lady Golf Club. These courses are very popular.
The Scheels Overland Park Soccer Complex is considered one of the best soccer facilities in the country. It has 12 lighted, artificial turf fields. These fields even have a cooling system for hot days.
The city also has the Overland Park Convention Center. In 2015, a Topgolf driving range and entertainment complex opened. It has a driving range, a bar, and a restaurant.
Historic Downtown Overland Park has a farmers' market and a clocktower plaza. You can also see a statue of the city's founder, William B. Strang Jr.. The Strang Carriage House and the Overland Park Historical Society are also located here.
The Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art is on the campus of Johnson County Community College. The city also has many public art displays. There are two community centers, Matt Ross Community Center and Tomahawk Ridge Community Center, for residents to use.
Culture and Beliefs
Religious Life
Overland Park has many different religious groups. Many people are Protestants, like Baptists, Methodists, and Pentecostals. There are also many Roman Catholics. Several Catholic churches serve the community, and one offers a Spanish mass.
The city also has a number of synagogues for Jewish people. These include Congregation Beth Israel Abraham Voliner and the Chabad House Center. Other synagogues are Kehilath Israel, Congregation Beth Torah, and The Temple, Congregation B'nai Jehudah.
Overland Park also has a Muslim population. The Islamic Center of Johnson County serves as a mosque and community center. There are also growing Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist communities.
Famous People from Overland Park
Many famous people have lived in or were born in Overland Park. These include film directors Michael Almereyda and Darren Lynn Bousman. Actors like Rob Riggle, Paul Rudd, Jason Sudeikis, and Sarah Lancaster are also from here. Johnathan Wendel, a well-known eSports player, also lived in Overland Park.
Sister City
Overland Park has one sister city, which helps build friendships between different places:
Bietigheim-Bissingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Images for kids
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95th and Metcalf at sunset (2013)
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Flag of Overland Park, Kansas
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Overland Park Logo
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Location within Johnson County and Kansas
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Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
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Oak Park Mall
See also
In Spanish: Overland Park para niños
