Overland Park is the second most populous city in the state of Kansas and is located in Johnson County. As of the 2020 census, the population of Overland Park was 195,772 making it the 12th largest city in the Midwest. Overland Park ranks as the second most populous suburb in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Overland Park Demographics
According to the Wikipedia page for Overland Park, the racial makeup of the city is:
- 84.4% White
- 4.6% African American
- 0.3% Native American
- 6.4% Asian
- 0.1% Pacific Islander
- 1.6% from other races
- 2.6% from two or more races
Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 6.4% of the population. Overland Park was ranked as the 27th best city to live in the United States by BusinessWeek in 2009 and the 15th best place to live in America by CNN Money Magazine in 2012.
Overland Park Economy
Overland Park has a diverse economy with major industries including finance, insurance, real estate, scientific and technical services, health care, and retail trade. Some of the major employers in Overland Park include:
- Black & Veatch (engineering)
- Garmin (technology)
- YRC Worldwide (transportation and logistics)
- SE2 (services and tech solutions)
- Shamrock Trading Corp (petroleum products)
Overland Park’s central location in the Kansas City metro area and proximity to major highways like I-35 and I-435 have helped attract major employers. The city has a median household income of $88,823 which is significantly higher than the national median.
Overland Park Landmarks
Some of the most famous landmarks and attractions in Overland Park include:
- Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead – A farmstead with activities and attractions for kids.
- Kansas City Zoo – Home to more than 1,000 animals.
- Children’s Mercy Park – Home of the Sporting Kansas City soccer team.
- Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens – 300 acre arboretum with botanical gardens.
Overland Park is also home to Oak Park Mall, which is the largest mall in Kansas. The city has a thriving arts scene and is home to the Kansas City Symphony and the Kansas City Ballet.
Sports in Overland Park
Sports are a big part of the culture in Overland Park. The city is home to several professional and amateur sports teams.
The most popular sports team in the city is Sporting Kansas City of Major League Soccer. Sporting KC plays home games at Children’s Mercy Park, which opened in 2011. The team has won 2 MLS Cup championships in 2000 and 2013.
In addition to pro soccer, youth and high school sports are very popular in Overland Park. Several schools in the city have won state championships in various sports including football, soccer, basketball, volleyball, and baseball.
Overland Park will soon be home to the Kansas City Current of the National Women’s Soccer League, with their new soccer specific stadium set to open in 2024. Additionally, the city has hosted Big 12 Conference soccer matches and NCAA Division II football national championship games.
Overland Park on Social Media
You can keep up with news and events in Overland Park by following the city’s Facebook page. The Overland Park Facebook page has over 18,000 followers and provides information on community events, city government updates, job openings, local weather alerts and more.
The city also communicates events and information across its Twitter and Instagram accounts. Use the #OPKS hashtag to join the conversation about all things Overland Park!