Mission, KS is a small town within the greater metropolitan area of Kansas City, MO. The quiet and laid-back community is like an oasis in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Kansas City, just minutes away. For anyone who commutes, it is a perfect location. There is a good highway system that makes the commute into the city possible in less than 15 minutes. The entire town takes up only 2.68 square miles of land, but it is populated with about 9,500 residents. Mission, KS has excellent schools, which are part of the highly-rated Shawnee Mission School District. For being so small, the suburb has a great reputation for its parks, swimming pools, shopping and farmers’ market. As more land is being considered for development, the Mission, KS housing market should stay strong.
What Is the Recent Trend in Housing in Mission, KS?
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Over the past six months, the listing prices for condos and townhouses have increased dramatically. What started out at $98,000 in October 2015 saw some steep inclines leading to today’s listing price of $155,000. The increase in price per square foot follows along with the upswing in prices. The condo price was $91 per square foot back in October, but is now $102. The picture for single-family homes is also improving. In December 2015 the listing price was $159,950 and today it is $164,950. The price per square foot is going down and now stands at $141, which is less than a high of $150 in January 2016. Today’s average house size is 1,478 square feet.
What type of people live in Mission, KS?
The median population age of 33.8 years in Mission is younger than the Kansas average of 36.0 years. Of those residents over 25 years of age, 93.6% of them have earned a high school degree or higher. The percentage of those holding a bachelor’s degree or higher is 50.3. There are 16.9% with a graduate or professional degree and 3.3% of the residents are unemployed. The average commute time to work is just under 20 minutes. The estimated household income in 2013 was $48,468, which was up from $42,298 in 2000. Per capita income was $33,313. The most common occupations for males are sales related, and for females they are secretaries and administrative assistants.
What is the history of the region?
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The area was originally populated with nomadic Osage and Kansas Indian tribes, but in 1825 the US Federal Government gave all of Johnson County to the Shawnee Indians. The Shawnee Indians had been settled in Ohio and Missouri, but were transferred to Johnson County. In 1854 the treaty regarding the Indian reservation was canceled and white settlers moved into the region. A wagon trail was created in Independence, MO that traveled to Santa Fe, NM. Since there was fresh spring water in Mission, the wagons stopped there to rest and drink before heading west again. In the 1920s more land was offered up for sale and by the mid-1930s the population and businesses had increased. Due to its close proximity to Kansas City, the town continued to grow.
What is Mission ,KS best known for?
In the past, Mission was well-known for its large shopping center with major department stores. Today the majority of the shops in Mission are smaller shops, strip malls, and grocery stores. There is an antique shop with many individual booths and sellers of antiques and retro items. A large draw to the area, however, is the bowling alley, which receives high ratings a a fun place to visit and for private parties. The farmers' market and flower market is an enjoyable place to shop for local produce. Another place of interest is The Barn, which puts on plays and performances such as, “Thoroughly Modern Milly” And “Six Degrees of Separation.” Many of the actors and actresses who have performed in this venue have gone on to become famous on stage and even become Academy Award winners, such as Chris Cooper. The theater has been in existence since 1955 when a local interior designer renovated a large barn that was located on the Woolf Farm. The land was eventually scheduled for development, forcing The Barn to find a new location. It moved around, including a space to put on productions at the Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, KS. Since that time, however, new land and a building was purchased and The Barn is again located in Mission, KS.
Are there public parks with playgrounds and green spaces?
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There is an aquatic center complete with swimming pools and there are several neighborhood parks. The parks have play equipment and some have shelters that can be reserved. Others have softball, football, and soccer fields. They are all beautifully laid out in the center of residential areas and are well-maintained. The neighborhood parks include Andersen Park, Broadmoor Park, Mohawk Park, Park on Beverly, Pearl Harbor Park, Streamway Park, and Waterworks Park. In addition to the parks, there is a 1.67 mile paved trail that runs from the eastern border of Mission, KS to the western border. Besides being used for biking, walking, and jogging, Rock Creek Trail also provides an alternative form of transportation that reaches many shops, parks, and the community center.
