Overland Park, Kansas

Overland Park is the second most populous city in the U.S. state of Kansas. Located in Johnson County, it is the largest suburb of Kansas City, Missouri, and is located adjacent to Olathe, Lenexa, Prairie Village and Leawood. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 173,372. Overland Park has consistently ranked in the top 10 of CNN/Money and Money magazine's 100 Best Cities to Live in the United States. Also in 2010, Money Magazine rated Overland Park, Kansas, the 7th best city to live in the United States. Additionally, the city was ranked as one of "The Best Places to Raise Your Kids in 2009" and was ranked 3rd for "America's 10 Best Places to Grow Up".

History
The city traces its roots back to 1905, with the arrival of its founder, William B. Strang Jr., who plotted subdivisions along a military roadway on 600 acres (2.4 km²) he purchased that are now part of the old downtown area. One of those subdivisions was named Overland Park, and was the site for the first airplane flight west of the Mississippi with shows by the Wright brothers, sponsored by Strang, on December 24, 1909.

The city was incorporated as a "first class city" on May 20, 1960, making it one of the youngest communities in Johnson County. Its initial population was 28,085 and was bounded by Antioch Road (West), 107th Street (South), Chadwick (East) and I-35 (North). In 1960 the population was 28,085 with 13 sqmi incorporated. By 1990 the population was 111,790 and in 1995 the incorporated land area was 56.6 sqmi. Since 1995, the population has grown to 173,250 in 2008 with 75.33 sqmi of land area. Overland Park is now the second most populous city in Kansas.

Geography and climate
Overland Park is centered at 38°56'24" North, 94°40'51" West (38.94, -94.68). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 56.8 square miles (147.2 km²), of which, 56.8 square miles (147.0 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²) of it is water. The total area is 0.18% water.

In early 2008, the city council voted to annex an additional 15 sqmi south of existing city limits. The annexation was approved for an additional 8 mi and went into effect March 10. After the annexation, the city spans nearly the entire distance between the northern and southern borders of Johnson County.

Overland Park lies in the humid continental climate zone (Koppen climate classification Dfa), with cold, dry winters and hot-and-humid summers. Spring and autumn are generally warm, with occasional thunderstorms. January is the coolest month, with frequent sleet and ice-storms and a daily average high temperature of 38 °F. Extreme lows are uncommon, but not unheard of. July is generally the warmest month, with highs around 90 °F and higher, with high humidity and late evening thunderstorms.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 149,080 people, 59,703 households, and 39,702 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,627.0 people per square mile (1,014.3/km²). There were 62,586 housing units at an average density of 1,102.9 per square mile (425.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.65% White, 2.55% African American, 0.27% Native American, 3.83% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.24% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. 3.77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 59,703 households out of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.8% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.7% had someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 32.5% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males. The median income for a household in the city was $62,116, and the median income for a family was $77,176. Males had a median income of $52,072 versus $34,186 for females. The per capita income for the city was $32,069. 3.2% of the population and 2.1% of families were living below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under the age of 18 and 3.5% of those 65 and older.

According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $70,405, and the median income for a family was $91,806.

Religion
Overland Park is highly populated by Protestants, reflective of the overall population of the state of Kansas. Large Baptist, Methodist, Nazarene and Pentecostal churches dot the landscape of Overland Park as well as its neighboring suburbs. Overland Park is home to Congregation Beth Israel Abraham Voliner, an Orthodox synagogue established in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1894. It is the only Orthodox synagogue in the Kansas City metropolitan area and in the state of Kansas. Overland Park is also home to a relatively small Muslim population. The Islamic Center of Johnson County serves as a mosque and a community center for Muslims in Overland Park. 

Also, Overland Park is home to a significant number of Catholics. Overland Park falls within the boundaries of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. Parishes such as Holy Trinity, Holy Cross, Holy Spirit, Ascension, Queen of the Holy Rosary serve Catholics in Overland Park.

Attractions
The city is home to Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, a 300 acre (1.2 km²) arboretum and botanical garden. The Oak Park Mall is one of the area's top shopping locations with Nordstrom, two Dillards, Macy's, JCPenney's and nearly 200 stores.



The Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead, a 12 acre, attraction is among the top 10 tourist destinations in the Kansas City area. It has more than 200 animals, hay rides, fishing pond, early 1900s century school house and more. It was recognized in August 2008 as the top "family" attraction in Kansas City by the Nickelodeon Channel.

Overland Park has finished construction on a 12-field tournament-quality soccer complex. All the fields have synthetic turf and lights. It has an irrigation system to cool the turf on hot days.

The city is also home to Overland Park Convention Center.

Historic Downtown Overland Park contains a Farmer's Market, the clocktower plaza and a statue of Overland Park City founder William B. Strang Jr..

Community centers
Overland Park contains three community centers: Matt Ross Community Center, the Jewish Community Center, and Tomahawk Ridge Community Center.

Parks
Overland Park has more than 1800 acre of park land and open space. Many of the city's 72 parks feature one or more of the following: sand volleyball, hiking and biking trails, playgrounds, tennis courts, basketball courts, and reservable shelters.

Economy
The largest employer in Overland Park is Sprint Nextel. The city is home to Sprint's world headquarters, which occupies 240 acres (1 km²) of the city and employs about 18,500 people.

Overland Park is also home to the headquarters of Fortune 500 company YRC Worldwide, as well as Black & Veatch, Waddell & Reed, Examinetics, Ferrellgas, Ash Grove Cement Company, and Compass Minerals. Applebee's was headquartered in the city until its move to nearby Lenexa, Kansas. Overland Park is home to Oak Park Mall. With 1800000 sqft and 200 stores, it is the largest mall both in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area and the states of Kansas and Missouri.

The Shawnee Mission, Blue Valley, Spring Hill and Olathe school districts and Johnson County Community College also employ several thousand people in the city.

Top employers
According to Overland Park's 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city were:

Education
The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas operates in Overland Park and surrounding cities. Catholic Schools in Overland Park include:
 * Holy Cross
 * Holy Spirit
 * Ascension
 * John Paul II
 * St. Thomas Aquinas High School

Public education in Overland Park is provided by several school districts including Shawnee Mission School District, Blue Valley School District and Olathe School District.

The Shawnee Mission School District operates five high schools.
 * Shawnee Mission South
 * Shawnee Mission Northwest High School
 * Shawnee Mission East High School
 * Shawnee Mission West
 * Shawnee Mission North High School

The Olathe School District consists of four high schools.
 * Olathe North High School
 * Olathe Northwest High School
 * Olathe South High School
 * Olathe East High School

The Blue Valley School District encompasses five high schools.
 * Blue Valley High School
 * Blue Valley North High School
 * Blue Valley Northwest High School
 * Blue Valley West High School
 * Blue Valley Southwest High School

The Johnson County Library serves the city. Overland Park is the location of several branch institutions:
 * Ottawa University adult campus
 * University of Kansas-Edwards Campus
 * Johnson County Community College
 * Baker University Overland Park Campus
 * Emporia State University - Overland Park Campus (Metro Learning Center)

Sister cities
Overland Park has one sister city.
 * 🇩🇪 Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany

Public transportation
The city does not have its own public transportation system. However, Johnson County, Kansas operates "The JO" within the city limits. As of 2008, Overland Park was not part of Kansas City, MO's plans for a light rail system.

Notable people

 * Tom Kane, Voice Actor
 * Sarah Lancaster, actress on Chuck
 * Jan Meyers, U.S. House of Representatives 1985-1997, first Republican woman to chair a standing committee in the House of Representatives, (Small Business Committee 1994-1997). The Brookridge Branch of the Shawnee Mission Post Office was named after her in 2010.
 * Rob Riggle, actor from The Hangover, Step Brothers, and The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
 * Paul Rudd, actor from Knocked Up, Anchorman, and Role Models
 * Jason Sudeikis, actor from Saturday Night Live, Going the Distance, and Hall Pass.
 * Jeff Wolfert, former University of Missouri placekicker, current NCAA Most Accurate Kicker of All-Time (94.9%)

In fiction
The Showtime original series United States of Tara is set in Overland Park.