Welcome to Kansas
Your life in the Sunflower State begins
Welcome to Kansas
Head for the heartland and make a new home in Kansas. The Sunflower State lives up to its name as an agricultural powerhouse thanks to its rolling plans its known for–but Kansas is so much more. From vibrant small towns and even a slice of big city life in Wichita, this state offers a little something for everyone.
With a foundation of solid Midwestern values, Kansas' reputation as an excellent place to raise family is growing. Considering its low cost of living, affordable home prices, proximity to top-rated educational institution and outdoor recreation it is surprising more people aren't choosing to call Kansas home. As for whatever is calling you, we think you may be on to something. Keep reading to learn more about moving to Kansas and see if its the right place for you.
Kansas Self-Storage Facts
Kansas has seen more self-storage development in recent years thanks to a wave of self-storage construction that has swept across the country. New development has been made possible by capital investment and financing flowing into the sector. A lack of new construction after the recession led to a shortage of self-storage space relative to population growth and natural demand for the product. That's created an opportunity in markets across the country to develop new self-storage facilities, and Kansas has proved to be no exception.
Below are some statistics that provide an overview of the self-storage industry in Kansas:
Below are some statistics that provide an overview of the self-storage industry in Kansas:
560
Kansas is home to an estimated 560 self-storage facilities.
14,933,823
Kansas self-storage facilities cover 14,933,823 square feet of storage space.
5.18
Kansas storage facilities offer 5.18 square feet of storage per person, which is about on par to the national average of 5.4 square feet per person.
Reasons to Move to Kansas
Looking for the heart of America? You'll find it in Kansas. Located in northern Kansas near the Nebraska border, Smith County is home to the geographic center of the lower 48 states. If that isn't enough of a reason to move to Kansas, see if any of the reasons below strike your fancy.
1
A trifecta of pro sports. While there are no pro teams in Kansas, just across the eastern border is Kansas City, Missouri. That city is home to three major pro sports teams: the Kansas City Chiefs football team, the Kansas City Royals baseball team, and the Sporting Kansas City pro soccer team.
2
Everything is fresh from the farm. Kansas is located smack dab in America's heartland, which means fresh farmed food abounds. The best produce can be found at farmers' markets through out the state.
3
The Midwest is friendlier. The people of Kansas are some of the nicest folks you'll ever meet. If you're looking for a place to make friends easily, then you are headed to the right place.
4
Cost of living you can afford. Kansas has one of the lowest cost of living rates in the country, about 21 percent less than the national average. That makes it more affordable to buy a house, raise a family and retire!
5
A rivalry like no other. It's true Kansas doesn't have any major league teams of its own, but we do have the Kansas State University Wildcats and the University of Kansas Jayhawks. Both NCAA teams are major rivals in the Big 12 Conference, providing epic games all year long.
6
Wichita means business. The state's largest city is a business and industrial hub for the Midwest. With a specialty in aeronautical engineering, the state is a major draw for those seeking high paying technical jobs.
7
Home on the range. With only 34.9 people per square mile, Kansas is 40th in terms of population density. That means those seeking peace and quiet can find it here.
8
Kansas keeps it weird. You'll soon grow accustomed to Kansas' quirky side once you get a chance to visit roadside attractions such as the World's Largest Collection of Smallest Versions of Largest Things, Truckhenge, The Giant Van Gogh Painting, and the Wizard of Oz Museum. And those are just the tip of the iceberg of all the strange museums and other oddities you'll encounter as a full-time resident.
9
Outdoor fun. Kansas isn't all flat plains. The eastern third of the state is full of heavily forested rocky hill formations and other varied terrain. That provides plenty of opportunities for hunting, hiking, camping and other activities.
10
Take a dip in the Big Pool. The Big Pool in Garden City, KS is as big as a football field and holds more than two million gallons of water. It's considered largest outdoor concrete public pool in the world! Get there while you can, as it may close in the future due to lack of funds to conduct expensive repairs.
Moving to Kansas
Kansas is the 35th most populous state, with about 2.9 million people residing here. The population has grown modestly over the last few years, growing about 1.8 percent since 2010. The state covers more than 81,800 square miles making it the 13th largest in the nation. That means those who are seeking some peace and quiet can find it in Kansas, with a population density that is about half that of the United States' average overall.
Within Kansas a phenomenon known as rural flight has contributed to the growth of the state's metropolitan cities. At the same time rural populations are shrinking and many small towns are fading away. If you are looking to become a Kansan, you'll have to decide if you want to live in the country or in one of its growing urban centers.
Kansas Economic Outlook
Kansas has a GDP of $172.5 billion, which is growing at an annual rate of 2.2 percent. The state is home to some major corporations, including Sprint, AMC Theaters, and Koch Industries. However, the median household income of $55,477 per year, which is a bit less than the national average of more than $60,000 a year. The good news is the state has a very low cost of living and also a low cost of doing business, which is both attracting new residents and businesses alike. The state of Kansas has a low unemployment rate of 3.2 percent, as of September 2019.
These are the largest economic sectors in Kansas by GDP:
Who are Kansas's Largest Employers?
Places to live in Kansas
Kansas is the 15th largest state in the Union, covering more than 82,000 square miles. Contrary to popular belief, Kansas is not completely flat. The western two-thirds of the state are part of the Central Great Plains of the United States, but the eastern third is covered in hills and forests. The state itself is divided in a few different regions including the western High Plains region, the north central Smoky Hills, the Arkansas River Valley and the Red Hills in the south central part of the state, the Flint Hills and Osage Cuestas to the east, and the Glaciated Region in the northeast corner of the state. However most people live in one of three following cities:
Wichita
With nearly 390,000 people, Wichita is the most populous city in Kansas, the 10th largest city in the Midwest, and the 51st largest city in the United States. The city is known as the Air Capital of the World, named for its long history and current place in aviation manufacturing. Also contributing to the city's sky high bonafides is nearby McConnell Air Force Base and the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport.
Kansas City
Don't confuse Kansas City, Kansas with Kansas City, Missouri. KCK, as locals call it, is the second largest city in Kansas with 150,000 residents. The city is located right next to the state line where Kansas City, MO is located. Unlike its larger neighbor to the east. KCK has a casino and NASCAR race track. Plus it has the best views of downtown KC-MO!
Topeka
Topeka is the capital city of Kansas, and its third most populous with about 125,000 residents. The name is derived from a Kansa-Osage phrase that roughly translates to "a good place to dig for potatoes." The city was founded in the 1850s as a ferry stop across the Kansas River as settlers made their way westward along the Oregon Trail. Today, Topeka is also known for its arts and culture institutions such as the Topeka Symphony Orchestra, Kansas Museum of History, and the Combat Air Museum.
Moving to Kansas Resources
All Kansas Cities
- Junction City
- Kansas City
- Lawrence
- Lenexa
- Mission
- Olathe
- Overland Park
- Shawnee
- Topeka
- Wichita
- Manhattan
- Salina
- Hutchinson
- Leavenworth
- Derby
- Pittsburg
- Newton
- Gardner
- Ottawa
- Spring Hill
- Leawood
- Augusta
- McPherson
- El Dorado
- Atchison
- Haysville
- Goddard
- South Hutchinson
- Wamego
- Andover
- Grandview Plaza
- Park City
- Paola
- Winfield
- Bonner Springs
- Eudora