Located in the geographic center of Johnson County (20 miles southwest of downtown Kansas City), Olathe is the second largest of the county and fifth largest in the state. Incorporated in 1857, Olathe maintains a true sense of community and small town feel, while its economic growth, excellent city services and strategic planning make it a leader in the area.
Olathe is big on local charm, and values livability. The city’s Parks and Recreation Department maintains year-round activities and Olathe’s two public Lakes (Olathe Lake and Cedar Lake) help to make it popular for hot-air ballooning and sailboarding. The Mahaffie Stage Coach Stop and Farm Historic Site, with adjacent Heritage Center, offer an opportunity to learn hands-on about early pioneer life. The Hidden Glen Arts Festival welcomes nearly 100 local, national and international artists to Olathe, and Old Settlers Days turns downtown into a fair of rides, booths and food specialties for three days of family friendly fun.
Olathe District Schools have won eleven consecutive “What Parents Want” awards from SchoolMatch, and fifteen have been designated National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. In 2011, Olathe’s 52 schools generated 12 National Merit Finalists.
