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Olathe, Kansas
City and County seat
Olathe City Hall (2010)
Flag
Location within Johnson County and Kansas
Interactive map of Olathe
Coordinates: 38°52′58″N 94°49′13″W / 38.88278°N 94.82028°W / 38.88278; -94.82028
Country	United States
State	Kansas
County	Johnson
Founded	1857
Incorporated	1857, 1868
Government
• Type	Mayor–council
• Mayor	John Bacon
Area
• Total	62.39 sq mi (161.57 km)
• Land	61.63 sq mi (159.62 km)
• Water	0.76 sq mi (1.96 km)  1.26%
Elevation	1,037 ft (316 m)
Population
• Total	141,290
• Estimate	143,014
• Density	2,300/sq mi (870/km)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes	66051,66061,66062,66063
Area code	913
FIPS code	20-52575
GNIS ID	485633
Website	olatheks.org

Olathe (/oʊˈleɪθə/ oh-LAY-thə) is the county seat of Johnson County, Kansas, United States. It is the fourth-most populous city in both the Kansas City metropolitan area and the state of Kansas, with a 2020 population of 141,290.

History

19th century

Olathe was founded by John T. Barton in the spring of 1857. He rode to the center of Johnson County, and staked two quarter sections of land as the town site. He later described his ride to friends: "...the prairie was covered with verbena and other wild flowers. I kept thinking the land was beautiful and that I should name the town Beautiful." Purportedly, Barton asked a Shawnee interpreter how to say "Beautiful" in his native language. The interpreter responded, "Olathe."

Olathe was incorporated in 1857, and while not the first city in Johnson County, its rapid growth led to it being named the county seat in October 1859. Rising tensions across the nation over the issue of slavery led to numerous clashes between abolitionist settlers and neighboring slave state Missouri. These clashes further escalated and become a part of the greater conflict known as Bleeding Kansas. With the admission of Kansas into the Union as a free state in 1861, violence began to dissipate. Peace continued to elude Olathe for many years to come, however. In 1861, Union officials and local military forces created a military post in the city. It housed one company of troops along with the local militia.

On September 6, 1862, William Quantrill led a surprise raid of guerrilla Confederates against the city, which resulted in a half dozen deaths and the destruction of most of the city. Quantrill captured the outpost and tried forcing the men to swear an oath to the Confederacy. The oath was deemed invalid in November 1862, since the guerrillas were not considered legitimate enemy military units. Kansas militia continued to occupy the Olathe military post through the rest of the Civil War.

Confederate forces attempted two further raids against the city. The first happened on August 20–21, 1863, as Quantrill was passing through on his way to Lawrence, Kansas (see Lawrence Massacre). The second raid occurred October 24–5, 1864, when Confederate Major General Sterling Price, with a force of 10,000 men, passed through on their retreat south (see Price's Raid). With the Confederate surrender, the military post was decommissioned in August 1865.

Olathe served as a stop on the Oregon Trail, the California Trail, and the Santa Fe Trail. Catering to travelers was the main source of income for local stores and businesses. The Mahaffie House, a popular resupply point for wagons headed westward, is today a registered historical site maintained by the City of Olathe. The staff wears period costumes, and stagecoach rides and farm animals make the site a favorite among children. Visitors can participate in Civil War re-enactments, Wild West Days, and other activities.

After the construction of the transcontinental railroad, the trails to the west lost importance, and Olathe faded into obscurity and remained a small, sleepy prairie town.

20th century

In the 1950s, the construction of the interstate highway system and, more directly, Interstate 35, linked Olathe to nearby Kansas City, Missouri. The result was tremendous residential growth as Olathe became a part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. In the 1980s, Olathe experienced tremendous commercial growth, which also drew more residents. Olathe's population is estimated to have surpassed 100,000 in 2001, and later projections showed Olathe's growth continuing as the city expanded into the farm fields south, west, and north of town.

Geography

Olathe is bordered by the cities of Lenexa to the north, Overland Park to the east, De Soto to the northwest, and Gardner to the southwest.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 60.42 square miles (156.49 km) of which 59.66 square miles (154.52 km) are land and 0.76 square miles (1.97 km) is covered by water. Olathe has two public lakes: Lake Olathe with 172 acres (0.70 km) of water surface and Cedar Lake with 45 acres (0.18 km).

Olathe's Black Bob Park is named after Hathawekela Shawnee Chief Black Bob.

Climate

Olathe has a humid continental climate, with cold winters and hot summers. Temperatures range from an average high of 39 °F (4 °C) and low 20 °F (−7 °C) in January to an average high of nearly 90 °F (32 °C) in July. The temperature reaches 90 °F (32 °C) an average of 36 days per year and 100 °F (38 °C) an average of 3 days per year. The minimum temperature falls below freezing (32 °F) an average of 102 days per year, but rarely drops below 10 °F (−12 °C). Typically, the first frost occurs between mid-October and the first week of November, and the last frost occurs between the end of March and the second week of April.

The area receives about 40 inches (1,000 mm) of precipitation during an average year, with the largest share being received in May and June—the April–June period averages 30 days of measurable precipitation. During a typical year, the total amount of precipitation may be 28 to almost 53 inches. On average, 95 days of measurable precipitation occur per year. Winter snowfall averages about 19 inches, but the median is 13 inches (330 mm). Measurable snowfall occurs an average of 9 days per year, with at least an inch of snow being received on seven of those days. Snow depth of at least an inch occurs an average of 25 days per year.

Demographics

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 141,290 people, 50,070 households, and 37,409 families in Olathe. The population density was 2,282.8 per square mile (881.4/km). There were 51,820 housing units at an average density of 837.2 per square mile (323.3/km). The racial makeup (including Hispanics in the racial counts) was 73.89% (104,405) white or European American (71.27% non-Hispanic white), 5.98% (8,444) black or African-American, 0.52% (735) Native American or Alaska Native, 4.48% (6,336) Asian, 0.09% (125) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 4.77% (6,739) from other races, and 10.27% (14,506) from two or more races.

The racial and ethnic makeup (where Hispanics are excluded from the racial counts and placed in their own category) was 71.27% (100,691) White alone (non-Hispanic), 5.85% (8,262) Black alone (non-Hispanic), 0.29% (414) Native American alone (non-Hispanic), 4.45% (6,293) Asian alone (non-Hispanic), 0.08% (115) Pacific Islander alone (non-Hispanic), 0.44% (620) Other Race alone (non-Hispanic), 5.24% (7,410) Multiracial or Mixed Race (non-Hispanic), and 12.38% (17,845) Hispanic or Latino.

Of the 50,070 households, 40.1% had children under the age of 18; 60.0% were married couples living together; 20.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 20.2% of households consisted of individuals and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.8 and the average family size was 3.3. The percent of those with a bachelor's degree or higher was estimated to be 32.7% of the population.

27.7% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.0 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 104.9 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $96,548 (with a margin of error of +/- $1,957) and the median family income was $105,927 (+/- $2,403). Males had a median income of $54,705 (+/- $1,766) versus $36,251 (+/- $2,111) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $45,840 (+/- $1,393). Approximately, 3.9% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.6% of those under the age of 18 and 5.8% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, 125,872 people, 44,507 households, and 33,274 families were residing in the city. The population density was 2,109.8 inhabitants per square mile (814.6/km). The 46,851 housing units had an average density of 785.3 per square mile (303.2/km). The racial makeup of the city was 83.1% White, 5.3% African American, 0.4% Native American, 4.1% Asian, 4.2% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 10.2% of the population.

Of the 44,507 households, 44.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.9% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 25.2% were not families. About 20.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.3% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.80, and the average family size was 3.24.

The median age in the city was 32.9 years; 30% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.5% were between 18 and 24; 32.1% were from 25 to 44; 23.1% were from 45 to 64; and 7.2% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.5% male and 50.5% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, 92,962 people, 32,314 households, and 24,623 families were residing in the city. The population density was 1,716.4 inhabitants per square mile (662.7/km). The 33,343 housing units averaged of 615.6 per square mile (237.7/km). The racial makeup of the city was 88.63% White, 3.70% African American, 0.43% Native American, 2.74% Asian, 2.69% from other races, and 1.80% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 5.44% of the population; 26.1% were of German, 11.0% Irish, 10.7% English, and 9.6% American ancestry.

Of the 32,314 households, 45.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.8% were not families. About 18.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83, and the average family size was 3.24.

In the city, age distribution was 30.8% under 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 36.7% from 25 to 44, 18.1% from 45 to 64, and 5.2% who were 65 or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.1 males.

Economy

Olathe's commercial and industrial parks are home to many companies, including Honeywell, Husqvarna, ALDI, Garmin, Grundfos, and Farmers Insurance Group. Although Farmers Insurance is based in Los Angeles, California, Olathe has more of its employees than any other city in the United States.

The Federal Aviation Administration, an agency of the United States Department of Transportation, administers and maintains an air traffic-control center in Olathe, designated Kansas City Center or ZKC. Kansas City Center is one of 20 regional traffic-control centers that cover United States airspace. Johnson County maintains an airport in Olathe, Johnson County Executive Airport, which is located on about 500 acres (2.0 km) of land with a 4,100-ft (1250-m) runway, parallel taxiways, and a federal contract air traffic-control tower. The airport is the second-busiest in the state.

Largest employers

According to the city's 2022 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the largest employers in the city are:

Government

Education

The city of Olathe is served by the Olathe USD 233, De Soto USD 232, Spring Hill USD 230, Blue Valley USD 229, and Gardner Edgerton USD 231 school districts.

As of 2008, 26,894 students are enrolled in the "Olathe USD 233" school district. The Olathe School District has 36 elementary schools, 10 middle schools, and five high schools: Olathe North, Olathe South, Olathe East, Olathe Northwest, and Olathe West.

Olathe is the home of MidAmerica Nazarene University and the Kansas School for the Deaf (established in 1861).

Infrastructure

Airports

Olathe is served by:

• Johnson County Executive Airport
• New Century AirCenter

The closest airport with airline service is Kansas City International Airport in Platte County, Missouri.

Transportation

• Johnson County Transit operates a bus system throughout the county, including Olathe.
• BNSF Railway's Chicago-Los Angeles main line runs through Olathe.

Notable people

Willie Aames (born Albert William Upton) is an American actor, film and television director, television producer, and screenwriter. Aames is well known for playing Tommy Bradford on the 1970s television series Eight Is Enough, Buddy Lembeck on the 1980s series Charles in Charge, and Bibleman.

John Anderson, Jr., was the 36th governor of Kansas from 1961 until 1965. He was born near Olathe.

Earl Browder, a prominent leader in the American Communist movement, served as chairman of the National Committee of the Communist Party USA from 1934 to 1945. He was also the Communist Party USA's candidate for president in the 1936 and 1940 presidential elections.

Jonathan Quinn is a former head football coach (2009-2013) for the MidAmerica Nazarene Pioneers football team. Quinn played for the NFL Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Bears, and Berlin Thunder of NFL Europe.

Darren Sproles is a former running back in the NFL, who played for the San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints, and Philadelphia Eagles. He was drafted by the Chargers in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL draft. He was a three-time Pro Bowler (2014-2016), a three-time First-team All-Pro (2011, 2014, 2015), and won Super Bowl LII with the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at Kansas State University, and high school football at Olathe North High School. Sproles retired as a player after the 2019 season, but still works in the NFL as an executive.

Buddy Rogers was an American actor who played the leading role in Wings (1927), which won the first Academy Award for Best Picture in 1929. He was also a notable jazz musician and film producer. The actor was married to film legend Mary Pickford and won an honorary Oscar in 1986.

Charles Miller was a saxophonist and flutist for the multicultural California funk band War. Lead singer and saxophonist on the 1975 song Low Rider.

In popular culture

• 1967– Olathe is an important location in the film In Cold Blood starring Robert Blake and Scott Wilson.
• 2003– Olathe is a location in the documentary Lost Boys of Sudan directed by Megan Mylan and Jon Shenk.

References

1. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Olathe, Kansas
2. "Olathe was incorporated in 1857 under a charter from the 'Bogus Legislature.' ... Some doubts existed as to the legality of the incorporation and it was re-incorporated in 1868 as a city of the third class...." —Blackmar, Frank W., ed. "Olathe". Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. ... Vol. II. Standard Pub. Co. (Chicago: 1912) pp. 386–387.
3. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
4. ^ "Profile of Olathe, Kansas in 2020". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
5. ^ "QuickFacts; Olathe, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 24, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
6. ^ "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021". United States Census Bureau. May 16, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
7. ^ "Evolution of Olathe". City of Olathe. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007.
8. Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Volume 2. Standard Publishing Company. pp. 386.
9. William E. Connelley, Quantrill and the Border Wars (Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Torch Press, 1909), pp. 234, 271. This book may also be found on the Internet Archive website, at https://archive.org/stream/quantrillborderw00connuoft/quantrillborderw00connuoft_djvu.txt .
10. Capt. James Christian, report, The War of the Rebellion (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1899), Series II, Vol. IV, p. 721.
11. John W. Noble, letter, The War of the Rebellion, Series II, Vol. IV, pp. 721-2.
12. Connelley, pp. 397-8.
13. First Lieut. Cyrus Leland, report, The War of the Rebellion (1883), Series I, Vol. XXII, Part I, pp. 591-2.
14. Brig. Gen. W. H. M. Fishback, report, The War of the Rebellion (1893), Series I, Vol. XLI, Part I, p. 619.
15. Maj. Gen. John Pope, report, The War of the Rebellion (1896), Series I, Vol. XLVIII, Part I, p. 351.
16. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-01-25. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
17. "Black Bob Park". Olathe Parks and Recreation, Olathe Kansas. Archived from the original on 2008-03-19. Retrieved 2013-02-17.
18. "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
19. "Station: Olathe 3E, KS". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
20. United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved November 28, 2014.
21. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Olathe city, Kansas". United States Census Bureau.
22. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Olathe city, Kansas". United States Census Bureau.
23. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Olathe city, Kansas". United States Census Bureau.
24. "US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE". data.census.gov. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
25. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS". data.census.gov. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
26. "Gazetteer Files". Census.gov. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
27. "US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
28. "US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
29. "US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT". data.census.gov. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
30. "US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
31. "US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
32. "US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS". data.census.gov. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
33. "US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
34. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
35. "2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
36. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
37. "Johnson County Airports Among Busiest in Kansas". The Olathe News via AirportBusiness.com. 12 January 2011. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
38. "2022 City of Olathe, Kansas Comprehensive Annual Financial Report For the Year Ended December 31, 2022" (PDF). Olathe, KS Gov. May 31, 2023. p. 114. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
39. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Johnson County, KS" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2024-10-22. - Text list
40. "District History - Enrollment Growth". Olathe School District. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
41. "Take a look inside the new Olathe West High School". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
42. "Waycross Journal-Herald - Google News Archive Search". Retrieved 17 June 2016.
43. "Willie Aames". People. 1995-07-17. Archived from the original on March 30, 2011. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
44. Kestenbaum, Lawrence. "The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Anderson, J." Retrieved 17 June 2016.
45. "Kansas In The Movies". Washburn University. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
46. "Lost Boys of Sudan". lostboysfilm.com. Retrieved 9 March 2023.

Further reading

External links

• City of Olathe
• Olathe - Directory of Public Officials
• Olathe city map, KDOT

v t e Municipalities and communities of Johnson County, Kansas, United States
County seat: Olathe
Cities	Bonner Springs‡ De Soto‡ Edgerton Fairway Gardner Lake Quivira‡ Leawood Lenexa Merriam Mission Mission Hills Mission Woods Olathe Overland Park Prairie Village Roeland Park Shawnee Spring Hill‡ Westwood Westwood Hills
Unincorporated communities	Aubry Bonita Clare Ocheltree Stilwell Wilder
Townships	Aubry Gardner Lexington McCamish Olathe Oxford Shawnee Spring Hill
Footnotes	‡This community also has portions in an adjacent county or counties.
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• Olathe, Kansas
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• Bleeding Kansas
• Populated places established in 1857
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