Cities & Subdivisions In Johnson County
| Johnson County, Kansas | |
 Location in the state of Kansas |
|
| Olathe, Overland Park, Shawnee, | |
|---|---|
| Lenexa, Leawood, Prairie Village, | |
| Gardner, Mission, Mission Hills, | |
| De Soto, Edgerton, Spring Hill, | |
| Fairway, Roeland Park, Westwood, | |
| Westwood Hills, Merriam, Mission, Mission Woods | |
Johnson County is in the northeast part of Kansas. The county is considered as the western suburbs of Kansas City, MO and is part of its metropolitan area. It was founded in 1855 and is about 480 sq miles. The county's population—the fastest growing in the state of Kansas is estimated to be over 600,000 by 2011, making it the largest in the state. Its county seat is Olathe and its most populous city Overland Park. Johnson County has the highest in the state and 19th highest per-capita income in the nation (as of 2000) and the nation's 46th highest medium household income. 19 cities make up Johnson County.
CNN/Money and Money magazine in 2008 ranked three cities in Johnson County on its list of the "100 Best Cities to Live in the United States." Overland Park was ranked ninth, Olathe was ranked 11th, and Shawnee was ranked 39th. Per the U.S. Census Bureau, Olathe was also ranked 24th in the 2008 list of the top 25 fastest growing cities in the nation.
Johnson County is named for Thomas Jefferson, and was one of the first counties established in 1855 in the Kansas territory. The Oregon-California and, Santa-Fe Trails pass through nearby Independence, MO and they also passed through the county. The famous gunfighter Wild Bill Hickok lived for awhile in the county, becoming constable in 1858. Johnson County was the site of many battles between Abolitionists and pro-slavery advocates. In 1862 Confederate Guerrillas from nearby Missouri led by William Quantrill raided the Johnson County communities of Olathe and Spring Hill, killing half a dozen men and destroying many homes and businesses. Johnson County was largely rural until the early 20th century when communities such as Overland Park and Mission Hills were developed as suburbs of Kansas City, Missouri. In 1914 real estate developer J.C. Nichols helped the boom when he built the Mission Hills Country Club to lure wealthy Missouri residents. Suburban development took off after World War II. Now Johnson County is one of the fastest growing areas in the metro Kansas City area as well as it is one of the most affluent areas in the United States with some of the top public schools.
Property taxes are a conglomeration of state, county, city, and school district taxes. Property tax rates are generally lower in Johnson County because property values in the county are higher than in other counties throughout Kansas. Some cities have multiple tax rates since they are divided among several school districts.
| City | Commercial | Real Property | Motor Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| De Soto | 3.20 | 1.47 | 3.84 |
| Gardner | 3.39 | 1.56 | 4.07 |
| Leawood | 3.39 | 1.56 | 4.07 |
| Lenexa | 2.75 | 1.26 | 3.30 |
| Merriam | 2.57 | 1.18 | 3.08 |
| Olathe | 3.09 | 1.42 | 3.71 |
| Overland Park | 2.31 | 1.06 | 2.77 |
| Prairie Village | 2.71 | 1.25 | 3.25 |
| Shawnee | 2.61 | 1.20 | 3.13 |
CITIES IN JOHNSON COUNTY
De Soto is a city in Johnson County in Kansas which lies along the Kansas River. According to 2000 census, the population was 4,561. The city has a total area of 11.3 square miles all composed of land. De Soto is the haven of 3 local corporations, the Mr. Goodcents Franchise Systems, Inc., Custom Foods, Inc., and the Great American Bank.
Edgerton is a city in Johnson County, Kansas with a population of 1,440 as of year 2000 according to US Census. The city has a total area of 1.3 square miles that consists of 1.3 square miles of land and 0.78% of water. The city has 474 households and 388 families inhabiting in the city as of 2000. The Johnson County Library system that comsists of 13 locations throughout Johnson County, includes the Edgerton Library.
Fairway is also a city in Johnson County, Kansas. Based on the 2000 census, the city has a population of 3,952. In 1949, the city was incorporated and recognized as “The City of Tress”. The city has a total area of 1.1 square miles that composed of land. The Johnson County Library is situated in Fairway. The library comprises 12 other locations spread throughout Johnson County.
Gardner is a city in Johnson County, Kansas. According to 2000 census, the city had a population of 9,396. The city was founded as a Free-Stater settlement in 1857. Gardner has a totala rea of 4.9 square miles all of which is land. Gardner is section of the USD 231 school district. Five out of the six elementary schools are cited in Gardner. Click here to search for single family homes & condos in Gardner.
Lake Quivira is a city of both Johnson and Wyandotte counties of Kansas. It has a total population of 932 on the 2000 census. On the US Census Bureau the city has a total area of 1.6 square miles with 1.3 square miles of land and the remaining is water. Based on the statistics of 2000, the city has 381 household and 326 families settling in the city.
Leawood has 27,656 residents in the 2000 census which is also a city in Johnson County. For years, Leawood sustained a ban on fast food establishments in the city borders. But in the late 1990s the ordinances forbidding gast stations ans fast food restaurants have been rescinded.
Lenexa is a city in the central portion of Johnson County, cited in norteast of Kansas. It was the fourth most populous city in the county. Lenexa was included in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. Last July 2009, Lenexa ranked 26 in the best small town to live in the United States according to Money magazine.
Merriam is located in the northeastern portion of Johnson County. The population was 11,008 in the 2000 census. The city was named in lieu for Charles Merriam, was the only secretary/treasurer of the Kansas City, Fort Scott and Gulf railroad which ran within the area.
Mission is a city in Johnson County, Kansas. The population was 9,727 in the 2000 census. Seaboard Corporation an agricultural and transport company is based in Mission. The Johnson County Library serves the residents of Mission together with the 12 other locations countrywide.
Mission Hills is a city in Johnson County with a population of 3,593 in 2000. Mission Hills was originally established by a well known Kansas City developer J.C. Nichols starting in the late 1920s as part of his Country Club District plan. Mission Hills ranked the 3rd weathiest neighborhoods in the country according to Forbes Magazine.
Mission Woods is a city in Johnson County. Kansas. The population was 165 at the 2000 census. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1 square miles (0.3 km²), all of it land.The Johnson County Library serves residents of Mission Woods.
Olathe is located in northeastern Kansas and the fifth most populous city in the state. Olathe ranked 24th fastest growing city in US based on the 2008 US Census Bureau. The same year, Olathe ranked 11th in the "100 Best Cities to Live in the united States according to CNN/Money and Money magazine.
Overland Park is the second most popous city in the U.S. state of Kansas. Overland constantly ranked in the top 10 in the 100 Best Cities to Live in the US as for Money Magazine. to add up, Overland Park ranked one of the Best Places to Raise Your Kids in 2009 and was 3rd for "America's 10 Best places to Grow Up". In 2010, the city ranked 7th in the best city to live in the United States. The city was the setting for the Showtime series The United States of Tara. Search for single family & condos in Overland Park.
Prairie Village is in the Johnson County with a population of 22,072 in the 2000 census. The city has a total area of 6.2 square miles which consists of land. Prairie Village was named the best planned community in America by the National Association of Home Builders. It was formally recognized as a city in 1951.
Roeland Park is a city Johnson County with the population of 6.817 at the 2000 census. The city has a total area of 1.6 square miles, all are in land form according to the United States Census Bureau. Roeland Park also has the Johnson County Library. The library's Cedar Roe branch is located in Roeland Park.
Shawnee is a city situated in northwest Johnson County, Kansas with an estimated 61,110 population in 2010. Shawnee was recognized as one of the "Best Places to Live" in America! by Money Magazine. Shawnee placed 17th for its affordable housing, air quality index and average commute time. Shawnee has been selected tops by a national on-line publication for fourth consecutive time. In 2006 and 2009, Shawee was chosen by Business Week as one of the Best Suburbs.
Spring Hills is cited in Johnson and Miami counties in the state of Kansas. The city population as of 2000 was 2,727 though the estimate in 2009 was 5,281. The city has a total area of 3.5 square miles which 3.5 square miles is land and 0.1 square miles is water. In 1857, the city was incorporated. Spring Hills commemorated its sequin centennial in 2007 dedicating its history. Nowadays, many community events happen yearly and consist of The King of the Hill Barbecue, Hometown Holidays and the Spring Hill Fall Festival.
Westwood is a city in Johnson County, Kansas. In 2000, the city has a population of 1,533 according to census. Westwood according to US Census Bureau, the city has a total land area of 0.4 square miles. As of 2000 Westwood consists of 711 households and 418 families settling in the city.
Westwood Hills is a city in Johnson County with 378 inhabitants at the 2000 census. The United States Census Bureau has a total land area of 0.1 square miles that compose of land. In 2000, the city has 170 households and 116 families living in.
