About Overland Park 

Overland Park is the second most populous city in the U.S. state of Kansas. It is located in Johnson County, a satellite city of Kansas City, Missouri, and is near Olathe, Lenexa, Prairie Village and Leawood. The population was 149,080 at the 2000 census. b In 2006 CNN/Money and Money magazine ranked Overland Park sixth on its list of the 100 Best Cities to Live in the United States. 

History
The city traces its roots back to 1905, with the arrival of its founder, William B. Strang Jr., who platted subdivisions along a military roadway on 600 acres (2.4 km˛) he purchased that are now part of the old downtown area. One of those subdivisions was named Overland Park, and was the site for the first airplane flight west of the Mississippi with shows by the Wright brothers, sponsored by Strang, on December 24, 1909. 

The city was incorporated as a first-class city on May 20, 1960, making it one of the youngest communities in Johnson County. Its initial population was 28,085 and was bounded by Antioch Road (West), 107th Street (South), Chadwick (East) and I-35 (North). In 1960 the population was 28,085 with 17.2 square miles (44.5 km˛) incorporated. By 1990 the population was 111,790 and in 1995 the incorporated land area was 56.6 square miles (146.6 km˛). Since 1995, the population has since grown to over 167,000 by 2005 with 62.26 square miles (161.25 km˛) of land area. Overland Park is now the second most populous city in Kansas. 

Geography
Overland Park is centered at 38°56'24" North, 94°40'51" West (38.94, -94.68)[4]. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 56.8 square miles (147.2 km˛), of which, 56.8 square miles (147.0 km˛) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km˛) of it is water. The total area is 0.18% water. 

Demographics
Historical populations
Census
year Population  

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1960* 21,110
1970 76,623
1980 81,784
1990 111,790
2000 149,080
*unincorporated
As of the census of 2000, there were 149,080 people, 59,703 households, and 39,702 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,627.0 people per square mile (1,014.3/km˛). There were 62,586 housing units at an average density of 1,102.9/sq mi (425.8/km˛). The racial makeup of the city was 90.65% White, 2.55% African American, 0.27% Native American, 3.83% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.24% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. 3.77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 

24.3% were of German, 12.2% Irish, 11.7% English and 6.7% American ancestry.[citation needed] 

There were 59,703 households out of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.8% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.7% had someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.06. 

In the city the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 32.5% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males. 

The median income for a household in the city was $62,116, and the median income for a family was $77,176. Males had a median income of $52,072 versus $34,186 for females. The per capita income for the city was $32,069. 3.2% of the population and 2.1% of families were living below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under the age of 18 and 3.5% of those 65 and older. 

According to a 2006 estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $68,404, and the median income for a family was $84,720.[1] 

Attractions
The city is home to Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, a 300 acre (1.2 km˛) arboretum & botanical garden. The Oak Park Mall is one of the area's top shopping locations with Nordstrom, 2 Dillards, Macy's, JC Penney's and over 180 major stores. 

Major Employers
The largest employer in Overland Park is Sprint Nextel Corporation, containing the Sprint world headquarters. Its campus occupies 240 acres (1 km˛) in the city, and employs about 18,500 people.  

The city is also the headquarters for YRC Worldwide, the newly formed Embarq, the restaurant chain Applebee's, and the employee-owned Black & Veatch Corporation. The Shawnee Mission School District, Blue Valley School District and Olathe School District employ several thousand people in the city. Overland Park is home to Sprint Nextel Corporation, Embarq Communications, Inc. communication companies, Applebees, and many other large corporations. 

Education
The Johnson County Library serves the city. Overland Park is the location of several branch institutions: 

Ottawa University adult campus
University of Kansas-Edwards Campus
Johnson County Community College
Baker University Overland Park Campus
Emporia State University - Overland Park Campus (Metro Learning Center)
 

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