Northeast Kansas-Western Missouri Climate

The area of northeast Kansas and western Missouri has a humid continental climate, with cold winters and hot summers. Rainfall occurs mainly in the spring and summer seasons. Snowfall ranges anywhere from 10-25 inches, with frost-free days existing about half of the year.

Johnson County, Kansas

Incorporated Cities

• Overland Park
• Olathe
• Shawnee
• Lenexa
• Leawood
• Prairie Village
• Gardner
• Merriam
• Mission
• Roeland Park
• Bonner Springs
• De Soto
• Spring Hill
• Fairway
• Mission Hills
• Edgerton
• Westwood
• Lake Quivira
• Westwood Hills
• Countryside
• Mission Woods

Fun Facts

Named for the political leader Reverend Thomas Johnson, the county of Johnson was one of the first counties established in the Kansas Territory in 1855. Not only did the Santa Fe trail pass through the county, but Wild Bill Hickock also lived here in the mid-1800s. The county seat is Olathe.

Population

Just over 500,000 people live in Johnson County, which is an increase of over 10% since the year 2000. It is the largest county in Kansas, by population, recently taking over Sedgwick County in that department. There are roughly 195,000 households in the county, housing an average of 2.5 people. The average age of a Johnson County citizen is 35 years old.

Jobs and Commerce

Johnson County has a burgeoning economy with an enormous labor force. Per capita income in the county has grown by over 16% in the past 12 years. The largest employer in the county is the retail trade industry, which has a work force of over 35,000 people. The second largest industry is the administrative/support industry, followed by information services, health care, technical services, and food services. The median household income in the county is over $61,000, which ranks 62nd in the United States. The county ranks 43rd in per capita income, at around $40,000.

Education

Johnson County is made up of 6 public school districts:

• Blue Valley: For more information about this district, including detailed information about each school, click here
• De Soto: For more information about this district, including detailed information about each school, click here.
• Gardner-Edgerton-Antioch: For more information about this district, including detailed information about each school, click here.
• Olathe: For more information about this district, including detailed information about each school, click here
• Shawnee Mission Pub Sch: For more information about this district, including detailed information about each school, click here.
• Spring Hill: For more information about this district, including detailed information about each school, click here

Johnson County is also home to 3 colleges:

• Johnson County Community College: For information regarding JCCC, click here.
• MidAmerica Nazarene University: For information regarding MNU, click here.
• Ottawa University: For information regarding OU, click here.

Parks and Recreation

One of the main attractions to Johnson County is the amazing parks and recreation service. Preserving the natural beauty and lush green landscape of the park areas is the main focus of this service provider. Last year, over 3 million people visited Shawnee Mission Park alone, which gives you some idea of the grandeur and magnificence of Johnson County's outdoor facilities. With 10 major parks, 4 aquatic facilities, 6 sports facilities, 2 golf courses, 2 nature centers, and a Theatre in the Park, the county of Johnson has a little something for everyone. Plant lovers can enjoy the services offered by 3 gorgeous full-scale gardens. Countless entertainment opportunities abound for fun-loving people of all ages. For detailed information about every indoor and outdoor recreation and entertainment facility, click here

Places of Worship

Over 100 churches and religious facilities are located in the county seat of Olathe, servicing every denomination imaginable. For a list of these facilities, including contact and location information, click here.

Miami County, Kansas

City List

• Paola
• Osawatomie
• Spring Hill
• Louisburg
• Fontana
  

Fun Facts

Named for the Miami Indian tribe, Miami County is part of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, and offers the balance of small town living with big city conveniences.

Population

Roughly 30,000 people live in Miami County, which is an increase of almost 5% since the year 2000. The county is constantly growing, do in some part to the recent construction of middle-to-high priced housing units. There are about 11,000 households in the county, housing an average of 2.6 people. The average age of a Miami County citizen is 36 years old.

Jobs and Commerce

The agriculture industry continues to be a strong economic base for the county, but the biggest industry in Miami is retail trade. Other large employers in the county include the health care industry, manufacturing, food services, and technical services. The median household income for Miami County is close to $47,000, and per capita income has increased by over 15% in the past 12 years. Keeping with northeast Kansas' burgeoning economy, Miami County has seen its citizens enjoy an ever-increasing quality of life.

Education

Miami County consists of three school districts:

• Louisburg: For extensive information concerning this district, including details about each school, click here
• Osawatomie: For extensive information concerning this district, including details about each school, click here
• Paola: For extensive information concerning this district, including details about each school, click here
   

Parks and Recreation

If you're looking for natural beauty, history, and small town hospitality, Miami County has it all. Besides the wonderful antique and specialty shops, there are a number of museums, historical sites, and outdoor recreational opportunities, the latter including:

• KC Watersports Skiing Lake: Offers cable skiing, among other activities.
• Hillsdale Lake: With 8,000 acres of land, Hillsdale Lake is perfect for hunters, and the 4,500 acres of water is a fisherman's paradise (especially for Largemouth Bass!).
• Golf: Metcalf Ridge Golf Club, Sycamore Ridge, Osawatomie Golf Course, and Paola Country Club.
• Powell Observatory
• Mid Way Drive-In Theater

The above list is just a small sample of what Miami County has to offer. For more information about these facilities, plus details about other entertainment opportunities, click here.

Places of Worship

Over 30 churches and religious organizations are operating in and around the area of Paola, the county seat. These facilities service a number of different faiths and denominations, providing religious guidance for the diverse needs of the community. For a complete list of these facilities, including contact and location information, click here.

Douglas County, Kansas

Incorporated Cities

• Lawrence
• Eudora
• Baldwin City
• Lecompton

Fun Facts

Douglas County is named after Stephen A. Douglas, a senator from Illinois and a candidate for the presidency in 1860. The county is located in the Lawrence Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Population

Douglas County is home to roughly 103,000 people, which is an increase of about 3% since the year 2000. Yet, the county's population increased by an incredible rate of 20% between 1992 and 2002. There are nearly 40,000 households in the county, housing an average of 2.4 people. The average age of a Douglas County citizen is 32 years old.

Jobs and Commerce

With an employed labor force of over 60,000 people, total employment in the county increased by about 20% between 1992 and 2000. The biggest employer in the county is the government sector, which includes all employees of the University of Kansas. The second largest employer is the services industry, followed by retail trade and manufacturing. The rest of the economy primarily consists of construction and mining, transportation and utilities, finance/insurance/real estate, wholesale trade, and agriculture. The median household income in Douglas County is around $38,000. Per capita income increased by 30% between 1997 and 2002.

Education

Douglas County consists of 3 school districts:

• Baldwin City: For extensive information concerning this district, including details about each school, click here.
• Eudora: For extensive information concerning this district, including details about each school, click here.
• Lawrence: For extensive information concerning this district, including details about each school, click here

Douglas County is also home to three universities:

• University of Kansas: For information regarding KU, click here.
• Baker University: For information regarding Baker University, click here.
• Haskell Indian Nations University: For information regarding Haskell, click here.

Parks and Recreation

There's a wide variety of recreational opportunities available in Douglas County. For starters, there are 8 major parks in the county:

• Black Jack Highway Park
• Broken Arrow Park
• Chicken Creek Arch Park
• Ivan Boyd Prairie Preserve
• Lone Star Lake Park
• Pearson Memorial Park
• Robinson Park
• Wells Overlook Park

For more information about each of these parks, click here.

For fisherman and other water sports aficionados, the 22,000-acre Clinton Lake is a beautiful area surrounded by five parks: click here.

For more details about leisure and entertainment offerings in the cities of Baldwin, Eudora, and Lawrence, click here.

Places of Worship

Over 100 churches and religious organizations are operating in the greater Lawrence area, with many other facilities located in other parts of the county. For a complete list of Lawrence religious services, click here.

Leavenworth County, Kansas

Incorporated Cities

• Leavenworth
• Lansing
• Tonganoxie
• Basehor
• Linwood
• Easton
  

Fun Facts

Named for Fort Leavenworth, the county was organized in 1855 and is part of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. Fort Leavenworth is the oldest army post in continuous existence west of the Missouri River.

Population

Nearly 73,000 people live in Leavenworth County, which is an increase of over 5% since the year 2000. There are roughly 25,000 households in the county, housing an average of about 2.7 people. The average age of a Leavenworth County citizen is 35 years old.

Jobs and Commerce

The strong economy of Leavenworth County is largely made up of the health care industry, retail trade, technical services, information services, food services, and manufacturing. With an employed labor force of over 33,000 people, Leavenworth County's business climate is stronger than ever. Per capita income grew by 20% between the years of 1994 and 2004. The median household income for the county is over $48,000.

Education

Leavenworth County consists of 6 fantastic school districts:

• Basehor-Linwood: For extensive information concerning this district, including details about each school, click here.
• Easton: For extensive information concerning this district, including details about each school, click here.
• Ft Leavenworth: For extensive information concerning this district, including details about each school, click here.
• Lansing: For extensive information concerning this district, including details about each school, click here.
• Leavenworth: For extensive information concerning this district, including details about each school, click here.
• Tonganoxie: For extensive information concerning this district, including details about each school, click here. 

Leavenworth County is also home to the University of Saint Mary, a Catholic liberal arts college sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. Home of the Spires, the major bachelor degree programs in the college are education, psychology, business, English, and biological sciences. For more information about the University of Saint Mary, click here.

The Kansas City Kansas Community College is also located in Leavenworth County: click here

Parks and Recreation

There are some fabulous recreational, entertainment, and cultural opportunities available in the Leavenworth County area. Parks in the county include, to name a few:

• Brewer Park
• Buffalo Bill Park
• Haven Memorial Park
• Hawthorne Park
• Jefferson Park
• Miller Bicentennial Park

For more information about these and other parks in the area, click here.

Five museums are located in the area, including the First City Museum and Frontier Army Museum. To learn more about museums in the area, click here.

For an extensive list of other attractions in Leavenworth County, including the Carnegie Arts Center, Performing Arts Center, and many other facilities, click here.

Places of Worship

Over 80 churches and religious facilities are located in the county seat of Leavenworth. Servicing a variety of faiths, these are just a small sample of the numerous religious organizations that can be found throughout Leavenworth County. For a list of churches in the city of Leavenworth, click here.

Franklin County, Kansas

Incorporated Cities

• Ottawa
• Wellsville
• Pomona
• Richmond
• Williamsburg
• Princeton
• Lane
• Rantoul

Fun Facts

One of the original counties of the Kansas Territory, Franklin County was created in 1855 and named in honor of Benjamin Franklin.

Population

Over 26,000 people live in Franklin County, which is an increase of over 5% since the year 2000. There are more than 10,000 households in the county, housing an average of about 2.6 people. The average age of a Franklin County citizen is 37 years old.

Jobs and Commerce

The economy of Franklin County is composed primarily of retail trade, manufacturing, health care, and food services. Transportation and warehousing has composed a large portion of the workforce recently. The median household income in Franklin County is just over $39,000 and per capita income increased by over 22% between 1997 and 2002.

Education

Franklin County is home to 4 great school districts:

• Central Heights: For extensive information concerning this district, including details about each school, click here.
• Ottawa: For extensive information concerning this district, including details about each school, click here.
• Wellsville: For extensive information concerning this district, including details about each school, click here.
• West Franklin: For extensive information concerning this district, including details about each school, click here.

Franklin County is also home to two wonderful colleges:

• Ottawa University: For information about OU, click here.
• Neosho County Community College: For information about NCCC, click here.

Parks and Recreation

There are many events and recreational opportunities in Franklin County for the whole family to enjoy. The Prairie Spirit Trail is a 33 mile trail that was once a railway, but is now used for hiking and biking. The Franklin County Fair is held every July at the Ottawa fairgrounds. Forest Park in Ottawa hosts Chautauqua Day every July 4th . The Old Depot Museum and Dietrich Cabin are two great museums, the latter of which is located in the Ottawa city park. For more information regarding recreation and entertainment in Franklin County, click here.

Places of Worship

Over 40 churches and religious organizations are located in the county seat of Ottawa. They represent a variety of denominations, as do the religious facilities located throughout the Franklin County area. For a list of religious organizations in the Ottawa area, click here.

Jackson County, Missouri

Cities

• Blue Springs
• Buckner
• Grain Valley
• Grandview
• Greenwood
• Independence
• Kansas City
• Lake Lotawana
• Lake Tapawingo
• Lee's Summit
• Levasy
• Lone Jack
• Oak Grove
• Raytown
• River Bend
• Sibley
• Sugar Creek
• Unity Village

Fun Facts

Named for Andrew Jackson, the county of Jackson was organized on December 15, 1826. It is the second most populous county in Missouri, and most of it was burned to the ground during the Civil War.

Population

Over 660,000 people live in Jackson County, which is a .8% increase since the year 2000. After St. Louis County, it is the most populous county in the state, due in large part to the enormity of Kansas City. There are over 268,000 households in the county, housing an average of about 2.4 people. The average age of a Jackson County citizen is 36 years old.

Jobs and Commerce

The strength of Jackson County's economy is due to its enormous work force. Major industries in the county include health care, retail trade, manufacturing, wholesale trade, food services, technical services, and information services. The median household income in Jackson County is near $40,000, and per capita income increased over 22% between 1997 and 2002.

Education

Jackson County is home to an enormous school system, with the following 12 districts:

• Blue Springs R-IV: For extensive information concerning this district, including details about each school, click here.
• Center 58: For extensive information concerning this district, including details about each school, click here.
• Fort Osage R-I: For extensive information concerning this district, including details about each school, click here.
• Grain Valley R-V: For extensive information concerning this district, including details about each school, click here.
• Grandview C-4: For extensive information concerning this district, including details about each school, click here.
• Hickman Mills C-1: For extensive information concerning this district, including details about each school, click here.
• Independence 30: For extensive information concerning this district, including details about each school, click here.
• Kansas City 33: For extensive information concerning this district, including details about each school, click here.
• Lee's Summit R-VII: For extensive information concerning this district, including details about each school, click here.
• Lone Jack C-6: For extensive information concerning this district, including details about each school, click here.
• Oak Grove R-VI: For extensive information concerning this district, including details about each school, click here.
• Raytown C-2: For extensive information concerning this district, including details about each school, click here.

Jackson County is also home to 11 colleges and universities:

• Avila College: For information about Avila College, click here.
• Calvary Bible College and Theological Seminary: For information about this school, click here.
• Cleveland Chiropractic College: For information about CCC, click here.
• Kansas City Art Institute: For information about KCAI, click here.
• Maple Woods Community College: For information about MCC-Maple Woods, click here.
• Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary: For information about MBTS, click here.
• Nazarene Theological Seminary: For information about NTS, click here.
• Penn Valley Community College: For information about MCC-Penn Valley, click here.
• Rockhurst University: For information about Rockhurst, click here.
• Saint Paul School of Theology: For information about SPST, click here.
• University of Missouri-Kansas City: For information about UMKC, click here.
  

Parks and Recreation

Jackson County contains an endless amount of opportunities for recreation, entertainment, and cultural education. Longview Lake Beach, Blue Springs Lake Beach, and Lake Jacomo are beautiful locations for fun in the sun. Over 10 major parks are located in the county, with plenty of other campgrounds. These parks offer a wide variety of trials for biking and hiking. A number of camps and animal facilities are available throughout the area as well. Jackson County has an extensive amount of areas for golf, horseback riding, and other sports. Three major historic sites can be found in the county as well.

Places of Worship

There are over 900 places of worship in the county seat of Kansas City. Every denomination imaginable is serviced with these religious facilities, and that doesn't even account for the rest of the religious organizations located throughout the county. For a complete list of religious facilities in Kansas City, click here.

Thank you for visiting our Neighborhood Information page. We hope you now have a great idea of what the northeast Kansas-Western Missouri area has to offer. Living in this part of the country has been a dream, and we hope you will share that sentiment some day soon. If you need any additional information on the above counties, please feel free to Contact Us at anytime.