Situated in the northeast section of Kansas, Olathe is one of the fastest growing cities in the state and the nation. With a current population of over 112,000 residents, more recent buyers of Olathe homes for sale are sure to find out why in 2006 CNN/Money and Money Magazine ranked Olathe 13th on the list of "100 Best Cities to Live in the United States."

Olathe is 154 years old and, like any city, shows it in some parts. But there's some great character to many areas as well. The people are great, very friendly and accepting. There's a wide variety of housing stock and job opportunities. The city enjoys greater strength through its diversity than elsewhere in Johnson County. It's more of an American microcosm than, say, north of 435 which is pretty plain and bland - a lot of sameness.

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 Farmers employees than any other city in the United States. The city continues to grow, even in this economy, with people choosing Olathe over other larger cities in the county like Overland Park, Lenexa and Leawood.

Schools. The city is served by the Olathe School District and Blue Valley School District. As of 2008, there are 26,894 students enrolled in the Olathe School District. The district has 34 elementary schools, 9 middle schools, and 4 high schools: Olathe North, Olathe South, Olathe East, and Olathe Northwest. The schools are rated among the finest in the country. That's why it's the fastest growing school district in the Midwest.

Transportation. The Johnson County Transit operates a bus system throughout the county, including Olathe. However, traffic in general can be horrendous with clogged arterials with few alternate routes and few interchanges with I-35. Freeways to Olathe from other parts of the Metro are some of the most congested and have some of the longest commute times.

The People. Olathe has a great sense of community which it has fought to protect so it doesn't get lost in the rest of suburbia. It's humble and has a sense of community despite its beige physical environment. There's a certain "humanity" in these outer suburbs that you just can't put your finger on. They're just not as afraid of strangers, stuck up or indifferent. Residents are so welcoming, so friendly and warm, and they don't act like you're going to steal their kids just because you smiled at them.

Crime. Crime rates are low and continue to decrease while the quality of life continues to improve. Violent crime is not an issue. Olathe recorded only three cases last year, but all were drug/domestic violence-related. Property crime might be slightly higher than neighboring cities.

Although Olathe has experienced tremendous growth since the 1980s, the community has a low crime rate, excellent public services, and a variety of affordable housing with many on large tracts of land. All of these opportunities are combined with a friendly-atmosphere, where hospitality and community spirit are a part of living, working and playing in Olathe, Kansas. Keep an open mind about this community. You just mind come to like it.