Living in Leawood Kansas: Old Money, New Luxury & JoCo's Biggest Move

One piece of land in Leawood, Kansas has changed identity three times in a century. In the 1920s, a wealthy Kansas City family bought it. In the 1990s, it became a golf community. And it's now planned as the site of a global company's headquarters. That story tells you almost everything about where Leawood has been and where it's headed.

I'm Hannah Murrell, a Johnson County real estate agent. Here's the vibe, the price points, the schools, and who Leawood fits.

What is the difference between Old Leawood and South Leawood?

Draw a line at 103rd Street and you'll understand Leawood. It's not perfectly clean, but as an 80/20 rule it holds up.

Old Leawood (north of 103rd Street)

This is the original town, platted in 1937 and incorporated in 1948. It's named for Oscar G. Lee, who began buying land here in 1922. The streets were built without sidewalks on purpose so it would feel like a country lane, and that's still true. You'll find mid-century and Colonial Revival homes in stone, brick, and clapboard, mature trees, and three protected historic districts covering more than 500 homes. Prices run from around $600,000 for smaller original homes to $2 million or more for expanded or rebuilt ones. When people talk about generations-deep old money in Kansas City, this is usually the part of Leawood they mean.

South Leawood (south of 103rd Street)

South of 103rd is where Leawood has been building for three decades, especially along the 135th Street and State Line corridor. Expect newer luxury construction, larger lots, gated entries, and HOA communities with pools and clubhouses.

The anchor is Hallbrook, a gated golf community around Hallbrook Country Club with custom estates from about $1 million to $5 million. That land was a family estate bought in 1927 by Joyce C. Hall, founder of Hallmark. South Leawood also includes The Hills of Leawood, Ironhorse, Aventino near 135th and Roe, and Regents Park, where estate homes start around $1.7 million.

What schools serve Leawood?

Old Leawood generally feeds Shawnee Mission East and Shawnee Mission South. South Leawood generally feeds Blue Valley North and Blue Valley High in Blue Valley USD 229, ranked the No. 1 district in Kansas. For many relocating families, that Blue Valley zoning drives the decision. Verify the assignment for each address.

How much do homes cost in Leawood?

Leawood has roughly 34,000 residents, a median age around 48, and a median household income of roughly $185,000, among the highest in the Kansas City metro. Heartland MLS data for the year to date at filming showed:

• About 300 single-family sales, averaging just under $984,000
• The most common price bracket was $1 million to $1.5 million
• More than 80% of homes went from list to close in 30 days or less
• 28% of buyers paid cash, and almost all others used conventional loans

What is the Lockton headquarters project in Leawood?

Lockton Companies, the world's largest privately held insurance brokerage, has announced plans to move its global headquarters from the Country Club Plaza to Hallbrook North, a 34-acre development at College Boulevard and State Line Road. The same Hall family land that became Hallbrook Country Club is now planned for a corporate campus targeted to open in 2030.

The plan includes a 12-story tower that would be the tallest building in Leawood, plus another office building, a hotel and event center, roughly 400 apartments (Johnson County's first residential high-rises), retail, and childcare. As of the latest reporting at filming, public incentives depended on Lockton signing a lease by the end of 2026, so this is still unfolding. My honest read for buyers along the 135th corridor: watch it closely over the next year rather than rushing to buy because of it.

What is there to do in Leawood?

• Town Center Plaza has the kind of retail you'd expect in a much more urban area, including Aritzia, Anthropologie, Alo, and an Apple Store, plus restaurants.
• Park Place is smaller and more walkable, home to AMC Theatres' headquarters and a winter ice rink. 801 Chophouse is the classic steak dinner.
• Parks: more than 550 acres connected by over 8 miles of trails. Ironwoods Park has trails, a nature center, an amphitheater, and the historic 1877 Oxford Schoolhouse. Leawood City Park has sports fields, tennis, and the aquatic center, and Gezer Park has a pond and garden.
• Prairiefire, just over the line in Overland Park, has the Museum at Prairiefire, a dine-in theater, restaurants, and wetland trails.

Frequently asked questions

Is Leawood, Kansas expensive?

Yes. Leawood's average sale price was close to $1 million at filming, and the most common price bracket was $1 million to $1.5 million.

What school district is Leawood in?

North Leawood is mostly Shawnee Mission. South Leawood is mostly Blue Valley. Check each address.

What is Old Leawood?

The original part of the city north of 103rd Street, known for mid-century and Colonial Revival homes, no sidewalks, and historic districts.

Keep exploring Johnson County

• Living in Prairie Village, Kansas
• Blue Valley School District: why families move for it
• Overrated vs. underrated Johnson County suburbs
• Where new money is buying in Johnson County

Get the free Johnson County Relocation Guide

Weighing Old Leawood against South Leawood? My free guide breaks down every city like this one, neighborhood by neighborhood. Call 913-744-4720 or email [email protected] and I'll send it to you.

Hannah Murrell | Murrell Signature Real Estate Group, Keller Williams Kansas City Metro | The Red Bow Standard