9 Safest Small Communities To Settle In Kansas
As a state often ranked firmly in the middle for overall safety, Kansas has many small communities with welcoming spirits and strong values within its borders. The towns on this list embody these virtues while also having very low crime rates. Primarily known for agriculture, Kansas is considered the “breadbasket” of the United States, and many rural towns began from this industry. Today, various industries exist, ranging from manufacturing to small businesses; however, Kansas’ farming roots remain strong. These roots often provide a culture of peace and hard work in many towns. Whether you’re looking to settle in the Flint Hills or in the open prairie, explore these safe and vibrant towns in the beautiful Sunflower State.
Lindsborg
Settled in 1869 by a group of Swedish immigrants, Lindsborg began as a community with strong values and a consistent work ethic. The settlers highly valued education and founded Bethany College in the late 1800s. Today, the town continues to value education and learning. As part of the Smoky Valley School District, the schools in the community are recognized for their excellent music education.
The town of Lindsborg fosters a diverse range of arts and appreciation for the arts. The town often shows its rich Swedish cultural traditions through art and festivals. Take a walk around the city and see the “Wild Dala Horses”. These traditional Swedish horses, painted by local artists, can be found throughout the town. Rated as one of the safest towns in Kansas, the city has an exceptionally low crime rate compared to the state and the country.
Hillsboro
On the edge of the beautiful Flint Hills, Hillsboro is a small community in Kansas with a population of around 2,600 people. The town boasts a low crime rate and offers access to all levels of education, from elementary school to college, within its town limits. The city features amenities like Hillsboro Community Hospital and a Senior Living Center. Close to two state highways, you can also travel from Hillsboro to bigger cities like Wichita with ease.
For both visitors and residents of Hillsboro, many enjoy outdoor recreation activities such as swimming, hiking, and camping at the nearby Marion Reservoir. In the town, you can visit historical places like the Friesen “Dutch” Mill, a replica of the original mill from the 1870s that ground local grain.
Atchison
Nestled next to the Missouri River, Atchison draws visitors and residents with its historic charm and stunning river views. With only minor spikes in crime over the last five years, the consistently low crime rate of this vibrant Kansas town makes it a great place to settle down. The city offers a variety of high-quality private and public schools. Atchison is also home to two colleges, Benedictine College and Highland Community College. With only a population of 11,000 people, Atchison feels like a small town while having many of the amenities of a larger one, including state-of-the-art medical resources.
For those with an interest in history, Atchison is the birthplace of Amelia Earhart and is home to two museums dedicated to the famous aviatrix. There's also a festival every summer celebrating Earhart, complete with food and crafts, outdoor concerts on the Riverfront, and a "Concert in the Sky" fireworks show. Atchison is also home to the world's smallest “unofficial” presidential library in the US, honoring David Rice Atchison, who reportedly served as president for a day in 1849.
Wamego
Along the banks of the Kansas River, Wamego boasts a thriving economy, with a focus on both heavy and light manufacturing, supported by the surrounding agricultural sector. Besides a flourishing industry, the town offers excellent health care and education facilities. The bustling downtown also features a variety of fun community events and festivals throughout the year. Wamego has experienced only a few crime spikes in the last five years, making it one of the safest towns in Kansas.
Wamego contains many city parks for residents and visitors, including one with the historic Schonhoff Dutch Mill. For fans of The Wizard of Oz and Wicked, the town features a fascinating Wizard of Oz Museum where visitors can learn all about the film's history. Wamego is also about 15 minutes away from the larger city of Manhattan, which is home to Kansas State University.
Cottonwood Falls
Named after the falls on Cottonwood River, the little town of Cottonwood Falls lies in the heart of the stunning Flint Hills. In fact, the Flint Hills Scenic Byway runs through the city, keeping the town lively during peak seasons. With a population of around 900 people, this cute community has an extremely low crime rate. Residents of this area can appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds them in a safe and quiet town. Though small, the city features a historic downtown on Broadway Street with art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. Grab a bite at places like the historic Grand Central Hotel & Grill, or grab a cup of joe at the HeBrews CoffeHouse nearby. At the end of Broadway Street, you can enjoy a walk on a historic walking bridge along the Cottonwood Falls River.
Mankato
Mankato is the county seat of Jewel County, a county known to be “where the sky meets the earth." As another small community with a population of approximately 826, this quaint town has experienced little to no violent crime over the past five years. The city also offers quality public education for elementary, middle school, and high school students as part of the Rock Hills School District.
Though small, the town of Mankato has plenty of things to do. Mankato City Park offers residents a variety of play and recreational opportunities, including long walks on paved paths and sand volleyball courts. Swimming is also a popular pastime at the Tourtellotte Pool in Mankato's Tourtellotte Park. During the summer, the library puts on the Robert Turner Summer Concert series in the city park. For outdoor enthusiasts, spend a whole day in nature by camping and fishing for catfish in the nearby Lovewell State Park.
Concordia
Located in Cloud County, Concordia boasts a welcoming community of around 5,000 residents. With very few crime spikes in the last five years, the community of Concordia is a safe place to put down roots. This small town strives to provide its residents with quality care, as evidenced by the recently constructed brand-new hospital. For those who enjoy sports, Concordia also features a sports complex with several softball and baseball fields, as well as a sand volleyball court.
For history lovers, Concordia is home to a historic downtown with buildings like the Brown Grand Theater, an opera house built in 1907 and recently restored. The city is also proud to hold the National Orphan Train Complex Museum, dedicated to telling the history of the transport and adoption of orphans in the county from 1854 to 1929.
Ottawa
Ottawa is a prairie town rich in history and heart, situated along the beautiful Marais des Cygnes River. As a town with around 12,700 residents, Ottawa’s thriving community offers plenty of opportunities, from schooling to health care, for all ages. The city is also home to Ottawa University and a community college. Within the past five years, violent crime has been consistently below state and national crime rates.
Ottawa lies at the crossroads of two major trails, the Prairie Spirit Trail and the Flint Hills Trail, providing residents with access to nearby outdoor recreation and entertainment. Their historic downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and most consider it the heart and soul of the town. The town also proudly claims to have the "oldest cinema in the world," known as the Plaza 1907 Cinema. The theatre is fully operational with two screens and a memorabilia museum.
Gardner
One of the fastest-growing cities in the region, Gardner is home to around 25,836 residents. Located near the Kansas City metropolitan area, living here means enjoying small-town living without sacrificing urban accessibility and amenities. Despite Gardner being close to urban areas, the crime rate over the last five years has been consistently low, possibly in part due to its outstanding public safety programs. The town of Gardner offers numerous parks that provide engaging recreational opportunities. The largest of these, Celebration Park and Sports Complex, features play areas for children, jogging paths, and sports facilities.
About 20 miles southwest of Gardner, explore the history of the area at the Johnson County Museum of History or experience the living history museum of Shawnee Town. Both museums offer engaging exhibits that enrich the cultural heritage of the area. The Johnson County Fair and Carnival also takes place in Gardner annually during late July to early August.
Settle in the Sunflower State
Kansas offers its residents numerous options for living, ranging from rural life to proximity to big city amenities. If you want to enjoy authentic countryside living, settle in towns like Cottonwood Falls or Mankato. If you want a small town with big city access, a town like Gardner offers precisely that. Each town on this list has something to offer residents. Explore the nine safest small communities to settle in the Sunflower State.
