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Leawood, Kansas

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Leawood (/ˈliːwʊd/) is a city in Johnson County, Kansas, United States,[1] and is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 33,902.[4][5]

Leawood, Kansas
City
Location within Johnson County and Kansas
Location within Johnson County and Kansas
KDOT map of Johnson County (legend)
KDOT map of Johnson County (legend)
Coordinates: 38°54′27″N 94°37′33″W / 38.90750°N 94.62583°W / 38.90750; -94.62583[1]
CountryUnited States
StateKansas
CountyJohnson
Founded1920s
Incorporated1948
Named forOscar Lee
Government
 • MayorMarc Elkins[2]
Area
[3]
 • Total
15.21 sq mi (39.38 km2)
 • Land15.11 sq mi (39.12 km2)
 • Water0.10 sq mi (0.26 km2)
Elevation
[1]
958 ft (292 m)
Population
 (2020)[4][5]
 • Total
33,902
 • Density2,200/sq mi (860/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
66206, 66207, 66209, 66211, 66224 [6]
Area code913
FIPS code20-39075
GNIS ID485611[1]
Websiteleawood.org

History

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See also: History of Kansas

19th century

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After the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, the area east of present-day Leawood opened for settlement. The Santa Fe Trail which ran through the area also contributed to the development of the area. The Border Ruffian War (1855-1857), part of a larger conflict known as Bleeding Kansas, damaged the local economy as pro-slavery activists from the slave state of Missouri attacked settlers, traders, and those traveling along the Santa Fe Trail. Conditions improved with the founding of Oxford, Kansas, the predecessor of Leawood. The township was destroyed by the American Civil War, and there was little left by 1865.[7]

Leawood was named for Oscar G. Lee, the original land owner of the town site.[8]

20th century

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Modern Leawood was established in the 1920s, after Oscar G. Lee, a retired police chief from Oklahoma, moved to Johnson County. He supervised the construction of Lee Boulevard for public use.

In 1948, a housing development by the Kroh Brothers led to the incorporation as a city. On November 30, 1948, Leawood became a city of the third class with a population of less than 2,000. By 1959, it had become a city of the second class. As of 2014, it is a city of the first class with approximately 32,800 residents.[7]

As of 2015, it was one of the Kansas City metropolitan area's wealthiest suburbs, alongside Mission Hills, Kansas, the Country Club Plaza neighborhood, and Olathe, Kansas. Particularly the neighborhoods of Hallbrook, Mission Hill Estates, and Tuscany Reserve were all rated in the top 1%, according to a widely cited research professor.[9]

Covenants

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The developers of Leawood, the Kroh Brothers (Clifford E. Kroh, Jr., and brother John A. Kroh, Sr.) and their father Clifford E. Kroh, Sr., emulated Kansas City urban planner and real estate developer J. C. Nichols, if not competed and attempted to eclipse him. Nichols developed neighborhoods defined by “large lots, curvilinear streets, uniform architecture, extensive deed restrictions, and homes associations,” according to “Race, Real Estate, And Uneven Development; The Kansas City Experience, 1900-2000” by Kevin Fox Gotham.

The Kroh Brothers for years used restrictive covenants for homeowners similar to those developed by J. C. Nichols, which have come under increasing scrutiny since the George Floyd Protests of 2020.

For example, on April 4, 1945, John A. Kroh Sr., filed the following language for a subdivision called Leawood Estates: “None of said lots or portions of lots shall ever be sold, conveyed, transferred, devised, leased or rented to or used, owned or occupied by any person of Negro blood or by any person who is more than one-fourth of the Semitic race, blood, origin, or extraction, including without limitation in said designation, Armenians, Jews, Hebrews, Turks, Persians, Syrians, and Arabians, excluding, however, from the application of this paragraph partial occupancy by bona fide domestic servants employed thereon.”[10]

The Kroh Brothers diversified into shopping malls and office buildings, and developed the original Ward Parkway Shopping Center. Their properties stretched across the country, with more than 100 developments in 13 states. The firm failed in a high-profile bankruptcy in 1987. Clifford Kroh’s grandsons, John A. Kroh Jr. and George P. Kroh, both served time in prison for bank fraud and conspiracy.[11]

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.16 square miles (39.26 km2), of which, 15.06 square miles (39.01 km2) of it is land and 0.10 square miles (0.26 km2) is water.[12]

The city is bordered on three sides by the cities of Overland Park and Prairie Village, Kansas and on the fourth by Kansas City, Missouri. The city's land area is approximately 75% developed and growth is expected to continue in the future.[13]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19501,167—
19607,466539.8%
197010,34938.6%
198013,36029.1%
199019,69347.4%
200027,65640.4%
201031,86715.2%
202033,9026.4%
U.S. Decennial Census
2010-2020[5]

2020 census

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The 2020 United States census counted 33,902 people, 12,742 households, and 9,974 families in Leawood.[14][15] The population density was 2,244.3 per square mile (866.5/km2). There were 13,484 housing units at an average density of 892.6 per square mile (344.6/km2).[14][16] The racial makeup was 86.47% (29,316) white or European American (85.58% non-Hispanic white), 1.51% (512) black or African-American, 0.19% (64) Native American or Alaska Native, 5.09% (1,724) Asian, 0.02% (7) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 0.67% (227) from other races, and 6.05% (2,052) from two or more races.[17] Hispanic or Latino of any race was 3.21% (1,088) of the population.[18]

Of the 12,742 households, 33.2% had children under the age of 18; 70.9% were married couples living together; 17.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 19.4% of households consisted of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[14] The average household size was 2.6 and the average family size was 3.0.[19] The percent of those with a bachelor's degree or higher was estimated to be 57.9% of the population.[20]

24.0% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 17.5% from 25 to 44, 29.4% from 45 to 64, and 22.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.1 males.[14] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 109.7 males.[14]

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $156,538 (with a margin of error of +/- $9,441) and the median family income was $194,974 (+/- $22,055).[21] Males had a median income of $116,151 (+/- $13,915) versus $46,187 (+/- $8,762) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $76,032 (+/- $4,591).[22] Approximately, 1.0% of families and 1.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.1% of those under the age of 18 and 1.8% of those ages 65 or over.[23][24]

2010 census

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As of the census[25] of 2010, there were 31,867 people, 11,781 households, and 9,367 families living in the city.[26] The population density was 2,116.0 inhabitants per square mile (817.0/km2). There were 12,384 housing units at an average density of 822.3 per square mile (317.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.3% White, 1.9% African American, 0.1% Native American, 3.8% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.2% of the population.

There were 11,781 households, of which 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.7% were married couples living together, 4.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 20.5% were non-families. 18.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.09.

The median age in the city was 44.7 years. 28.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18% were from 25 to 44; 34.3% were from 45 to 64; and 15.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.

The city has become more Democratic in voting since 2016, going from majority conservative to a reliably swing district with near parity in party identification and fundraising.[27] The city is evenly divided 50/50 Democratic-Republican.[citation needed]

2000 census

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As of the census[28] of 2000, there were 27,656 people, 9,841 households, and 8,118 families living in the city. The population density was 1,833.4 inhabitants per square mile (707.9/km2). There were 10,129 housing units at an average density of 671.5 per square mile (259.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.19% White, 1.46% African American, 0.14% Native American, 2.18% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.30% of the population.

There were 9,841 households, out of which 41.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.0% were married couples living together, 5.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.5% were non-families. 15.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.2% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 29.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.3 males.

Religion

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Leawood is home to the main campus of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, which is the largest church in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area and the largest Methodist church in the country with 22,000 members and an average weekly attendance of 13,600.[29] In 2017, one of the world's largest stained glass works, costing $3.4 million, was established as part of the church's building, depicting stories of Jesus and Martin Luther King Jr.[30]

Leawood is also home to three Catholic parishes: Church of the Nativity, Curé of Ars and St. Michael the Archangel.

Economy

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Top employers

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According to Leawood's 2017 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[31] the top employers in the city were:

# Employer # of Employees
1 AMC Theatres Support Center 450
2 Reece & Nichols 415
3 American Academy of Family Physicians 362
4 Blue Valley Unified School District 346
5 Select Quote Less Than 50 (2024 Layoffs)
6 City of Leawood 256
7 Murphy-Hoffman Company 250
8 Nueterra Holdings Company 184
9 DEMDACO 150
10 Bukaty Companies 120

Shopping centers

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Town Center Plaza is home to a number of upscale stores with few or no other locations in the Kansas City area.

Government

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Law enforcement

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The Leawood Police Department is the main department in the city of Leawood, the Johnson County Sheriff's Office also assists as well. The Leawood Police Department was formed on January 18, 1949. The agency was formed when Robert E. Combs became the city's first chief of police. The first officers hired on were unpaid volunteers who wanted to help their community. By 1971 the city had gradually started paying patrol officers, and in 1986 the agency had reached 26 officers, 6 civilians and 1 dispatcher. Now the agency has around 60 officers. Currently the Leawood Police Department enrolls officers in the Johnson County Regional Police Academy who, following their graduation, join the agency, raising the number of officers hired.[32] Leawood Police Officers have a dark navy blue uniform, dark blue pants, as well as black shoes or boots, and a badge with the department's insignia on it along with the Kansas state logo.

The Kansas Highway Patrol rarely patrols the city unless there is a major event. The Leawood police chief is Dale Finger, who has been chief since 2021.[33]

Education

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Schools

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Two public school districts serve Leawood -- Shawnee Mission School District and Blue Valley USD 229.[34]

Libraries

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The Johnson County Library serves the residents of Leawood.[35]

In June 2014, Leawood city officials shut down a Little Free Library due to city ordinance prohibiting free-standing structures in the front yards of residential homes.[36] The family of the 9-year-old boy who built the structure created a Facebook page to support amendment of Leawood's city code.[37] Another resident of the city who erected a Little Free Library was threatened with a $25 fine. There are discussions among the city's residents in working with the city to amend its code regarding free-standing structures in residents' front yards.[38]

Notable people

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Main article: List of people from Leawood, Kansas

Notable individuals who were born in and/or have lived in Leawood include co-founder of Garmin Corporation Min Kao,[39] romance novelist Julie Garwood,[40] U.S. Representative from Missouri Karen McCarthy,[41] baseball pitcher Dan Quisenberry,[42] founder of Hallmark Cards Joyce Clyde Hall,[43] and tight end for Kansas City Chiefs Travis Kelce.[44]

Sister cities

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Leawood, Kansas
  2. ^ "Members". City of Leawood. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  3. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Profile of Leawood, Kansas in 2020". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c "QuickFacts; Leawood, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 24, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  6. ^ United States Postal Service (2012). "USPS - Look Up a ZIP Code". Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  7. ^ a b "CITY OF LEAWOOD COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE 2016" (PDF). 2016. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  8. ^ "Leawood, Kansas". JoCoHistory. Johnson County Museum. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  9. ^ "Kansas City's wealthiest areas: Where they are and how they compare to other rich U.S. neighborhoods". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
  10. ^ Sanchez, Mary (August 13, 2020). "Think J.C. Nichols Was Racist? Meet Kroh Brothers". Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  11. ^ Robbins, William; Times, Special To the New York (September 27, 1988). "A Company's Fall Turns Brother Against Brother". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  12. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  13. ^ "About Leawood". City of Leawood. Archived from the original on February 5, 2015. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  14. ^ a b c d e "US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  15. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  16. ^ "Gazetteer Files". Census.gov. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  17. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  18. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  19. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  20. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  21. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  22. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  23. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  24. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  25. ^ "American FactFinder Leawood city Kansas". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  26. ^ "2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 11, 2015. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
  27. ^ "Politics & Voting in Leawood, Kansas". Bestplaces.net. October 6, 2019. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  28. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  29. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 6, 2016. Retrieved January 9, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  30. ^ "Breaking the boundaries of stained glass". CBS News. April 2018.
  31. ^ "City of Leawood, Kansas Comprehensive Annual Financial Report: for the Year ended December 31, 2017" (PDF). Leawood.org. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  32. ^ "Leawood Police History". Archived from the original on April 12, 2008.
  33. ^ "Police – City of Leawood, KS". Leawood.org. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  34. ^ "Leawood Schools". City of Leawood. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  35. ^ "JoCoLibrary". JoCoLibrary. May 2, 2011. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  36. ^ "City Forces 9-Year-Old Boy to Move "Little Free Library" From Front Yard". June 20, 2014.
  37. ^ "Spencer's Little Free Library". Facebook. June 19, 2014.
  38. ^ "City to fine owners of Little Free Libraries". June 18, 2014. Archived from the original on May 25, 2016. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  39. ^ Stafford, Diane (December 20, 2012). "Garmin success starts with co-founder". The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  40. ^ "Picks and Pans Review: Talking With...Julie Garwood". People. April 28, 1997. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  41. ^ Phillips, Anessa (October 18, 2010). "Alumna Congresswoman passes". University News. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  42. ^ "Dan Quisenberry Dead At 45". CBS News. September 30, 1998. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  43. ^ Pace, Eric (October 30, 1982). "J.c. Hall, Hallmark Founder, Is Dead". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  44. ^ "Travis Kelce appears to have bought a $6M mansion near Hallbrook". www.bizjournals.com. October 19, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  45. ^ "US-Taiwan Connect. List of Sister Cities". Archived from the original on January 12, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  46. ^ "Gezer Region of Israel". City of Leawood, KS. Retrieved March 23, 2021.

Further reading

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See also: List of books about Johnson County, Kansas
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