Olathe is the fastest growing and fifth most populous city in the U.S. state of Kansas, and it is the second most populous city and county seat of Johnson County. As a suburb of Kansas City, the city is included in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, it is the 5th largest city in the Kansas City Metropolitan area. It is bordered by the cities of Lenexa to the north and Overland Park to the east.

Olathe had an estimated population of 108,390 in the year 2004 and is likely approaching 115,000 in 2006. It is not only one of the fastest growing cities in the state, but indeed one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. A recent article in the magazine Midwest Living named Olathe to be the second most livable city with a population larger than 100,000 in the Midwest. Olathe has the 19th highest per-capita income among US cities with a population greater than 100,000.

Geography

Olathe is located at 38'52′51″N, 94'48′11″WGR1. 2003 Orthophoto Aerial

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 141.1 km? (54.5 mi?). 140.3 km? (54.2 mi?) of it is land and 0.8 km? (0.3 mi?) of it is water. The total area is 0.55% water. Olathe has two public lakes: Lake Olathe with 172 acres (0.7 km?) of water surface, and Cedar Lake with 45 acres (0.2 km?).

Climate

Over the course of a year, temperatures range from an average low below 20'F in January to an average high of nearly 90'F in July. The maximum temperature reaches 90'F an average of 36 days per year and reaches 100'F an average of 3 days per year. The minimum temperature falls below the freezing point (32'F) an average of 102 days per year. Typically the first fall freeze occurs between mid-October and the first week of November, and the last spring freeze occurs between the end of March and the third week of April.

The area receives over 40 inches of precipitation during an average year with the largest share being received in May and June?the April?June period averages 30 days of measurable precipitation. During a typical year the total amount of precipitation may be anywhere from 28? to almost 53 inches. There are on average 96 days of measurable precipitation per year. Winter snowfall averages about 17 inches, but the median is 11 inches. Measurable snowfall occurs an average of 10 days per year with at least an inch of snow being received on seven of those days. Snow depth of at least an inch occurs an average of 25 days per year.

Demographics

As of 2004, the city of Olathe has an estimated population of 108,390, which is an increase of 15,347, or 16.5%, since the year 2000. This is also an increase of 2,908, or 2.8%, from the year 2003.

Census of 2000

As of the census of 2000, there were 92,962 people, 32,314 households, and 24,623 families residing in the city. The population density was 662.7/km? (1,716.4/mi?). There were 33,343 housing units at an average density of 237.7/km? (615.6/mi?). The racial makeup of the city was 88.63% White, 3.70% African American, 0.43% Native American, 2.74% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.64% from other races, and 1.80% from two or more races. 5.44% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 32,314 households out of which 45.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.8% were non-families. 18.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.24.

In the city the population was spread out with 30.8% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 36.7% from 25 to 44, 18.1% from 45 to 64, and 5.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $61,111, and the median income for a family was $68,498. Males had a median income of $45,699 versus $30,217 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,498. 4.1% of the population and 2.4% of families were below the poverty line. 4.1% of those under the age of 18 and 4.1% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.