Roeland Park was incorporated on July 2, 1951. A cozy community of 1.6 square miles, Roeland Park is home to 6,871 residents per the 2020 US Census. The City has one large apartment complex and 2,852 single family homes, most of which are modest single-story bungalows. A second apartment dwelling with 285 Class A units will be under construction starting in 2025. The northeast portion of Johnson County has seen a trend in recent years of tear-down and rebuilds as each community is landlocked and built out. This trend has impacted neighboring cities of Westwood, Fairway and Prairie Village significantly. This type of redevelopment has been expanding to Roeland Park, albeit at a much slower rate. Several of modest homes have been leveled and replaced with much larger single-family homes.
Overall, the eastern-most suburbs of Johnson County in Kansas have become a popular location for all ages. The median age of a Roeland Park resident is 33.4 and many young families move here to purchase their first home, they often stay because the sense of community, proximity to downtown Kansas City, and the affordability.
Schools and Public Facilities
Roeland Park is home to Roesland Elementary, a Shawnee Mission Public School facility which was recently named one of two schools in the state to be honored by the National Association of Elementary and Secondary Education Act Distinguished Schools. Roeland Park is also home to St. Agnes Primary School and Bishop Miege High School, both highly regarded Catholic schools that draw attendance from across the metro area. Roeland Park is also home to Horizon Academy, a private elementary school for students with language-based learning disabilities.
The Cedar Roe branch of the Johnson County library is also located in Roeland Park as is the City owned Roeland Park Community Center and Aquatic Center, located on the same campus. Parks and trees are incredibly important to our residents. The City has been named a Tree City USA for more than 30 years and is home to seven parks, including four pocket parks.
Roeland Park prides itself on supporting and promoting the arts. The City is home to more than 25 public art installations, that reflect the beauty and character of Roeland Park. the George R Schlegel Gallery in City Hall hosts works from local and regional artists with new displays every two months.