Discover the Largest Cities in Kansas

Located in the Midwest United States, Kansas is known for its vast prairies and Great Plains landscapes. Though a landlocked state, Kansas contains many important rivers that have contributed to its growth and livelihood over the last two centuries, including the Missouri River. America’s 34th most populous state, Kansas, is also the 13th largest state by total area. However, despite this, Kansas is also home to many distinctive cities that define the state’s cultural and historical identity while also shaping its path for the future. Below, discover the five largest cities in Kansas, an important way to paint a complete picture of the Sunflower State.

Largest Cities in Kansas by Population

One of the most important factors to consider when determining a city’s size is its population. Overall, Kansas is not a very populous state — ranking 36th in population among all U.S. states. Despite this, the Sunflower State does have at least five major cities with a population of over 100,000 people. These are the five largest cities in Kansas ranked by population size, according to World Population Review.

1. Wichita

Wichita is the largest city in Kansas and the 49th largest city in the U.S., with a population of 392,878. As of the 2020 census, the Wichita metro area had a total population of over 645,000. Located in south-central Kansas, Wichita lies along the Arkansas River, the sixth-largest river in the U.S.

Despite its relatively small population size, Wichita continues to evolve as both city governments and local communities aim to redevelop its downtown area and revitalize its older neighborhoods. Wichita is home to several distinctive neighborhoods, including its downtown/Old Town and residential areas like Riverside and College Hill. According to the most current information available, the city’s population density was about 2,400 inhabitants per square mile in 2023, with a slight population decrease of 0.36% from the 2020 census. Wichita also ranked 79 out of 125 U.S. cities on the 2019 U.S. News & World Report survey of  “Best Places to Live.”

2. Overland Park

Overland Park is Kansas’ second largest city, with a population of 196,147 in 2023. Located within the state’s Osage Plains, Overland Park also has the distinction of bordering Kansas City, KS, to the north and Kansas City, MO, to the south. Despite a slight 0.24% decline in population from the 2020 census, Overland Park ranks as one of the highest cities in Kansas by population density, with about 2,609 inhabitants per square mile in 2023. Overland Park is a part of the larger Kansas City metropolitan area. 

3. Kansas City

Kansas City is the state’s third largest city, with a population of 151,208 in 2023. Located along the banks of the Missouri River, Kansas City also shares a border with the state of Missouri. Out of the five largest cities by population, in recent years, Kansas City has experienced the most dramatic decline in population density, falling 1.08% below its 2020 census count. Kansas City’s population density is approximately 1,211 residents per square mile as of the 2020 census. 

4. Olathe

Olathe is the fourth largest city in Kansas, with a population of 146,297 in 2023. A quintessential Midwestern town, Olathe was once a popular stop on the Oregon Trail. Named for the Shawnee word for “beautiful,” Olathe’s location near both Kansas City and Overland Park makes it a desirable place to live. Olathe is the only top five largest cities in Kansas to experience a positive population growth (1.14%) from the 2020 census. The population density of Olathe is approximately 2,373 residents per square mile. 

5. Topeka

Topeka is the capital of Kansas and its fifth largest city, with a population of 125,353 in 2023. Located in central-northeast Kansas along the Kansas River, Topeka is a Kansa-Osage word loosely translated as “a good place to dig potatoes.” Topeka is known as a college town and has a notably historic downtown area, which includes the State Capitol Building. Like many of the state’s largest cities, the Kansas capital also experienced a small (0.24%) decline in population from the 2020 census. The population density of Topeka is approximately 2,040 residents per square mile. 

Largest Cities in Kansas by Total Area

Another important way to determine the largest cities in Kansas is by looking at each city’s total area. While Kansas is the 15th-largest U.S. state by area, measuring approximately 82,278 square miles, the state’s top five largest cities by area are relatively small by comparison — a testament to the Great Plains state’s reputation for wide open spaces. Additionally, the state’s five largest cities by area are also its five largest by population.

1. Wichita

Wichita is the largest city in Kansas by total area, measuring approximately 161.66 square miles. The city lies near the western edge of the Flint Hills, and its most prominent geographical feature is the winding Arkansas River, which flows south-southeast and roughly bisects the city. Approximately 4.3 square miles of Wichita is covered by water, and the city is defined by its Arkansas River valley location.

Wichita lies within the humid subtropical climate zone. Its location on the Great Plains — relatively unaffected by large mountains or bodies of water — makes Wichita susceptible to frequent severe weather throughout the spring and summer. Generally, the city experiences hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. However, its location makes for frequent temperature fluctuations in all seasons. Wichita is also known as one of the worst major cities in the U.S. for seasonal allergies, mainly due to exceptionally high tree and grass pollen. 

The Arkansas River is Wichita’s most prominent natural feature and is the site of many of the city’s most famous museums and landmarks. Two of its most prominent neighborhoods are Riverside, a residential neighborhood across the river, and the downtown area, east of the river. Wichita is also home to many historic neighborhoods, including College Hill, Hilltop, and Planeview.

2. Kansas City

Kansas City is the second largest city in Kansas by area, measuring approximately 124.81 square miles. Located at the junction of the Missouri and Kansas rivers, Kansas City also shares a border with the state of Missouri to the north and east. Not to be confused with Kansas City, MO (its namesake), Kansas City, KS, has earned the nickname “KCK.” It is one of four principal cities in the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Kansas City is situated near the geographic center of the United States, and its location influences its climate in the humid continental zone. With the potential for both hot and cold temperature extremes throughout the year, the city’s precipitation tends to be higher during the late spring/early summer months. Additionally, Kansas City is located on the edge of “Tornado Alley,” a spot prone to powerful, extreme storm conditions in both winter (ice storms) and summer (tornadoes). 

Though located at the confluence of two major rivers, Kansas City is not known for its natural attractions. However, the city does have many distinctive neighborhoods, including its downtown area and several small towns located along the river. 

3. Overland Park

The third largest city in Kansas by total area is Overland Park, measuring approximately 75.18 square miles (less than half of Wichita’s total area). Bordering both Kansas City, KS, and Kansas City, MO, Overland Park has become a desirable place to live due to its extensive park system, reliable transportation, and good education system. It is bordered by the Kansas River to the north and is at the edge of the Osage Plains. Overland Park is also a principal city of the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Overland Park lies in between the humid subtropical climate and humid continental climate zones. This transitional climate causes the city to experience typically hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. Overland Park’s precipitation is typically highest from late spring through early fall. 

Overland Park is known for its extensive parkland and open spaces, which consist of more than 1,800 acres throughout the city. Overall, the city has 72 parks with numerous recreation activities, including the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.

4. Olathe

Kansas’ fourth largest city by total area, Olathe, measures approximately 61.64 square miles. Its location near two other populous Kansas cities — Overland Park and Kansas City, KS — makes Olathe a highly sought-after place to live. With all the amenities of Kansas’ larger cities, Olathe still retains its small-town appeal because of its many open, green spaces. Olathe is also known for its top-notch healthcare, education, and transportation systems. 

The city is located in a humid continental climate, distinguished by its cold winters and hot summers. Generally, the first frost occurs around mid-to-late October, and the last frost from the end of March to mid-April. Significantly, Olathe also receives approximately 40 inches of precipitation per year, with the wettest months occurring between late April and June.

Once nicknamed “cow town,” Olathe was once a wagon stop on the Santa Fe and Oregon Trails. Today, the city embraces its wild west/frontier past while also representing modern development and progress through its architecture and infrastructure.

5. Topeka

Topeka, Kansas’ capital, is also its fifth-largest city by total area, measuring approximately 61.44 square miles. Located in central-northwest Kansas, the city’s landscape is defined by its Kansas River location, bordered by the open prairies and tall grasses of the Great Plains. Known as a college town, Topeka is home to six universities, including Kansas State University. Abundant in history and notable architecture — including the State Capitol Building — the city has also undergone extensive redevelopment in the 21st century with improvements to its infrastructure, housing, and businesses. 

Though located in a humid continental climate, Topeka is known for its distinct (and sometimes extreme) fluctuations in temperature, precipitation, and wind. Generally, Topeka experiences hot, humid summers and cold, often dry, winters with little snowfall. It receives approximately 36 inches of precipitation per year, with the wettest months occurring between April and June. Often, Topeka’s precipitation is accompanied by extreme weather, including thunderstorms and, at times, tornadoes.

Topeka is known for its historic architecture and is home to many government buildings, including the Capitol Building, Kansas Judicial Center, and Cedar Crest, the Kansas Governor’s Mansion. City recreation includes the Topeka Zoo, MacLennan Park, and Gage Park. Gage Park is also home to the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center, Doran Rock Garden, and Reinisch Rose Garden. 

Largest Cities in Kansas Based on Economic Output

In addition to population size and total area, another metric used in determining a city’s size is its economic input. Currently, there is no definitive data on Kansas GDP by city. However, it is possible to evaluate the largest cities’ economic input via available county information. 

The following data is from the Kansas REA Project, which evaluates the total industry by Kansas county. The most recent data available is from 2021. The only cities included in the county evaluation are the top five largest Kansas cities by both population size and total area. Additionally, Overland Park and Olathe are tied for second place. They are both located in Johnson County, thus making it impossible to isolate their individual GDPs.

1. Wichita (Sedgwick County)

The GDP of Sedgwick County, Kansas, was $35,384,658 in 2021. For context, the total area of Sedgwick County is 1,009 square miles, and it is the second-most populous county in Kansas (as of the 2020 census). Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County. Most of Sedgwick County’s GDP is via private industries and amounts to $32,012,648. The highest amount is from the manufacturing sector. Without city data, it’s difficult to analyze Wichita’s contribution to Sedgwick County’s GDP. However, Wichita’s well-known status as an industrial hub certainly plays a large part in the county’s high GDP. 

Since the 1920s, Wichita has been home to numerous airport manufacturing companies, including Beechcraft, Stearman Aircraft, and Cessna. During the subsequent decades, this boom in aircraft manufacturing significantly contributed to the city’s growth and economy. Eventually becoming an aircraft production hub, the city became known as “The Air Capital of the World.” Today, the city remains an important hub for the aeronautical industry and continues to host manufacturing and design facilities for companies like Learjet, Airbus, and Textron Aviation, among others. Wichita is also home to several airports, including the largest in Kansas, Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport.

Famously, Wichita is also the birthplace of restaurant brands Pizza Hut and White Castle, and many of the brands’ franchises also originated in the city. The sporting goods brand Coleman also had its start in Wichita in the early 20th century. The city is also home to the headquarters of both Koch Industries and Cargill, two of the largest privately held companies in the U.S. The city has also been known as a hub of healthcare and medical research since the 1980s. Today, healthcare remains its second-largest industry. 

2. Overland Park and Olathe (Johnson County)

Two of Kansas’ largest cities by both population and land area, Olathe and Overland Park, are located in Johnson County. As of the 2020 census, Johnson County was the most populous county in Kansas, with an estimated 609,863 residents. Though the GDP in 2021 of Johnson County was approximately $56,329,449 (the highest county GDP on this list), because two of the state’s most populous cities are located here, the list ranks them tied at second place for cities with the highest GDP. In 2021, approximately 95% of Johnson County’s GDP was private industries, with manufacturing, information, and wholesale/retail trade ranking the highest.

Overland Park

Overland Park is Kansas’ second-largest city by population and its third-largest by total area. The service sector largely fuels the local economy, and the largest industries are technical services, finance and insurance, and information technology. As of 2016, the city’s top employer was T-Mobile, followed closely by employees in education (Shawnee Mountain/Blue Valley School District. Companies headquartered in Overland Park include Yellow Corporation, Ash Grove Cement Company, and Compass Minerals, among others.

Olathe

Olathe is the fourth-largest city in Kansas by population and total land area. Despite its overall size, Olathe is the only city in the top five with a positive population growth since the 2020 census. The city is home to several commercial and industrial parks whose companies are among some of the largest employers. Olathe is home to companies such as Honeywell, ALDI, Garmin, and Farmers Insurance Group, among others. Though Farmers Insurance is not based in Olathe, the city hosts the company’s largest percentage of employees. According to the latest available data (2015), the city’s largest number of employees work in the service sector, the most at Olathe Unified School District (4,500), closely followed by Garmin (2,723) and Farmer’s Insurance (2,600). Olathe is also home to Jackson County Executive Airport, the second-busiest airport in Kansas.

3. Kansas City (Wyandotte County)

Kansas City is Kansas’ third-largest city by population and second-largest by total area. It is the county seat of Wyandotte County and its most populous city. It is especially difficult to estimate Kansas City’s total GDP because it is often included in the Kansas City, the bi-state metropolitan area. This includes Kansas City, MO, and 14 counties that straddle the border of both states. Interestingly, when comparing Kansas counties versus Missouri counties in the metropolitan area, as of 2019, the largest professional and employment growth was due to gains from the Kansas counties in the area.

However, when evaluating Kansas City as part of Wyandotte County, the numbers differ somewhat. The total GDP of Wyandotte County was $12,167,709 as of 2021, a significant drop from other large Kansas cities on the list. Approximately 85% of the county’s GDP was from private industries, notably manufacturing ($2,336,313). Additionally, $1,552,221 of the county’s GDP came from government and government enterprises.

Notable companies located in Kansas City include General Motors (Fairfax Assembly Plant), Associated Wholesale Grocers, and Kansas City Steak Company. Among the city’s largest employers is the healthcare industry, with the most employees found at the University of Kansas Hospital and University of Kansas Medical Center. 

4. Topeka (Shawnee County)

Topeka is the fifth-largest city in Kansas by both population and total area. The Kansas capital is also the seat of Shawnee County and its most populous city. Despite being home to the state capital, the GDP of Shawnee County was an estimated $11,681,498 in 2021. Approximately 83% of Shawnee County’s GDP was from the private sector, with manufacturing, educational services, healthcare, and finance as the top industries. Additionally, the government sector accounted for nearly 17% of the county’s total GDP.

Because it is the state capital, Topeka’s largest employer is the state of Kansas, which employs approximately 8,400 people. This accounts for about one in five employees in the city. The largest industry is educational, health, and social services, almost one-quarter of Topeka’s working population. Other notable employers in Topeka include the city’s four school districts and Washburn University (education), Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Frito-Lay, and Hill’s Pet Nutrition (manufacturing), and Wal-Mart and Dillons (retail). 

Conclusion

Five Kansas cities rank the highest when it comes to population, total land area, and economic input: Kansas City, Olathe, Overland Park, Topeka, and Wichita.

Significantly, three of the five cities — Overland Park, Kansas City, and Olathe — are part of the Kansas City metropolitan area, making them important hubs in both Kansas and the neighboring state of Missouri. However, what makes these largest Kansas cities so important is their diversity. From colleges and industries to vast green spaces and rich history, all of these cities offer a unique glimpse into the Sunflower State’s past, present, and future.