Johnson County Apartments for Rent

Rolling hills dotted with small towns and rural farms exemplify the Midwest, and Johnson County is no exception. It is a wealthy county and is considered one of the most affluent counties in the state of Kansas. Founded in 1855, Johnson County was one of the first counties in the young Kansas Territory. Situated southwest of Kansas City, Johnson County is considered a suburban part of the Kansas City metro area.

The county seat, Olathe, is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. Its early days were rocky ones, however, as it was often the site of clashes between pro-slavery forces and abolitionists in the 1850s. During the 1860s, Olathe served as a resting point for westward-bound travelers on the Oregon and California Trails. One reminder of this historic past is the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm Historic Site, built in 1857. Today it serves as a museum and gift shop and is located on nearly 40 acres, complete with era-specific artisans and Civil War reenactments.

The largest city in Johnson County is Overland Park. As the second most populated city in the state, Overland Park is a suburban, award-winning city. Although it was founded in 1905, it didn’t incorporate until 1960. This young city has seen such rapid growth mainly because of its many attractions. It his home to the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, the Oak Park Mall, the Overland Park Convention Center, and a historic downtown complete with a farmer’s market and a clock-tower plaza. The city contains 72 parks over 1,800 acres. Overland Park is home to Sprint Nextel and several other major companies.

Johnson County is home to Johnson County Community College, MidAmerica Nazarene University, and the University of Kansas-Edwards Campus.