Neighborhoods of Lee’s Summit, Missouri

Lee’s Summit is a fast-growing city located in Jackson County, Missouri, just southeast of Kansas City. As of 2023, Lee’s Summit has an estimated population of over 100,000 residents. The city features a variety of neighborhoods, each with its own unique character and appeal. Here is an overview of some of the major neighborhoods in Lee’s Summit:

Downtown

Downtown Lee’s Summit serves as the heart of the city. It features a vibrant town square lined with local shops, restaurants, and businesses. Some of the key attractions downtown include:

• Lee’s Summit City Hall
• Lee’s Summit Historical Museum
• Lee’s Summit Social Services Building
• Downtown Lee’s Summit Farmer’s Market (Saturdays, April to October)
• Longview Lake and Longview Lake Beach Family Aquatic Center
• Unity Square with outdoor amphitheater for concerts and events

The downtown area largely consists of preserved 19th century buildings, giving it a quaint and historic small town feel. The downtown community comes alive during various festivals and community events held throughout the year.

New Longview

Located just north of historic downtown, New Longview is one of Lee’s Summit’s upscale neighborhoods. It is centered around the manmade Longview Lake, which provides residents access to fishing, boating, swimming and other watersports.

Homes in New Longview consist mostly of large, new construction homes and range from $300,000 to over $1 million. The neighborhood offers easy access to the lake, walking trails, parks, and downtown amenities. It’s known for its family-friendly atmosphere.

Some of the features and amenities of New Longview include:

• Longview Lake access
• Walking trails
• Parks – Longview Farm Park, Lakeshore Park, Eagle Heights Park
• Proximity to downtown
• Newer, larger homes
• Low crime rate

New Longview is ideal for families or professionals looking for lakefront living within close proximity of Lee’s Summit’s quaint and thriving downtown.

Historic South

Historic South refers to the old neighborhoods located just south of downtown Lee’s Summit. It includes the neighborhoods of Oldham, Todd George, and Longview.

Some of the features of Historic South include:

• Century old homes built in a variety of architectural styles including Victorian, Craftsman, and Colonial Revival
• Mature trees and established landscaping
• Brick streets and historic street lamps
• Close proximity to downtown
• Locally owned shops and restaurants

Popular attractions in Historic South include Howard Station, a preserved historic railroad depot, and McKay Park. Home prices range from $200,000 to $600,000. Historic South appeals to homebuyers looking for historic architecture and classic neighborhoods close to downtown amenities.

Pryor Road / Colbern Road Area

The area near the intersection of Pryor Road and Colbern Road contains some of Lee’s Summit’s most popular neighborhoods, including Valley View, Pembroke Hill, and Eagle Glen.

This area features rolling hills with panoramic views. Homes are a mix of mid-century ranch homes built in the 1960s to new large luxury homes built from 2010 onward. The area has expanded rapidly with new housing developments and amenities in recent years.

Neighborhood highlights:

• Mix of older and newer homes
• Quick access to highly rated Lee’s Summit school district
• Close to shopping and dining at Pryor and Colbern
• Access to parks – Eagle Glen Park, Valley Park, Red Bridge Road Park
• Family-friendly atmosphere

Home prices range from $250,000 to $600,000 in this sought-after area of Lee’s Summit.

Lakewood

Lakewood refers to the neighborhoods around Lake Winnebago, including Lakewood Estates, Lakewood Hills, and Lakewood Shores. This area offers great lakefront living within Lee’s Summit.

Key features:

• Homes overlooking Lake Winnebago
• Walking trails encircling the lake
• Parks including Lakeland Park, Cedar Creek Park, Willowind Park
• Mix of housing from lake cottages to larger homes
• Family-friendly community feel
• Close proximity to shopping and restaurants
• Home prices range from $200,000 to $600,000

Lakewood appeals to those desiring scenic lake views and a serene neighborhood setting within close driving distance of city amenities.

M-470 Corridor

The M-470 corridor contains some of Lee’s Summit’s newest and most rapidly growing neighborhoods and commercial developments.

Major neighborhoods along the M-470 corridor include:

• Hawthorn – gated community with amenities including a clubhouse, pool, and golf course
• Summerset – new large family homes starting in the $400,000s
• Chestnut – new homes ranging from $300,000 to $500,000

New shopping developments along M-470 include:

• Summit Fair Shopping Center – retail including Target, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Best Buy
• Summit Woods Crossing – shopping and dining including Olive Garden, Chipotle, MOD Pizza

Other amenities:

• Summit Waves – large outdoor swimming facility
• Legacy Park – 175 acre sports complex and park
• Low crime rates
• Easy highway access
• Highly rated schools

The M-470 corridor offers convenient amenities coupled with new housing options drawing families to the area.

Southeast Lee’s Summit

Located southeast of downtown, this area has seen steady residential growth, especially in the neighborhoods near Chipman Road.

Popular neighborhoods include:

• Somersett – mix of homes from townhomes to large family homes
• Barrington Park – luxury homes built starting in the 2010s
• Windsor Park – homes built from the 1990s to 2010s

Highlights:

• Newer large homes at various prices
• Family-friendly neighborhoods
• Parks including Thirty Five Woods Park and Ivy Lea Park
• Close to shopping and dining – Churchill Plaza and Chipman Corners
• Access to the popular Great Plains Industrial Park – major employers include Burns & McDonnell, American Freightways, and GSA.

Home prices range from $200,000 to $500,000. The southeast area offers nice suburban living coupled with proximity to major employers.

Western Lee’s Summit

Western Lee’s Summit refers to the neighborhoods along the western edge of the city out to MO-150 Highway. This area remains more rural and less developed than eastern Lee’s Summit.

Popular western neighborhoods include:

• River Birch – luxury hilltop homes offering wooded views
• Eagle Pointe – secluded lakefront homes and access to golf course
• Fall Creek – mix of older and newer homes with a family atmosphere

Highlights:

• More seclusion and space between homes
• Close to dining and shops off MO-150 Highway
• Quick access to soccer complex and trails at Fleming Park
• Home prices range from $250,000 to over $750,000
• Nearby Lake Lafayette offers fishing and recreation

Western Lee’s Summit appeals to those who want a more secluded neighborhood near wooded areas and parks outside of the busier metro.

Shopping and Dining

In addition to a vibrant downtown, Lee’s Summit offers plenty of shopping and dining options distributed throughout the city:

Major Shopping Centers

• Summit Fair Shopping Center – Target, Best Buy, Dick’s, Old Navy, JoAnn Fabrics
• Summit Woods Crossing – Olive Garden, Chipotle, MOD Pizza, HomeGoods
• Adams Dairy Landing – JCPenney, Marshall’s, Ulta, Shoe Carnival
• Lee’s Summit Marketplace – AMC Lee’s Summit 16 movie theatre, OfficeMax, Michael’s

Notable Restaurants

• Jazz – upscale fine dining in downtown Lee’s Summit
• Sobi Sushi – popular sushi restaurant downtown
• Salty Iguana – Mexican restaurant with rooftop patio
• Speggtacular – breakfast and brunch spot known for creative eggs
• Sosta Cucina – upscale Italian restaurant at Pryor and Colbern
• SodaVie – burger and shake joint with outdoor patio space
• El Fogon – family-owned Latin restaurant on 3rd Street

Coffee Shops and Bakeries

• Monarch Coffee – coffeehouse with outdoor patio and baked goods
• Hen House Bakery – local bakery known for pies and desserts
• Little Coffee Shop – cozy spot for coffee, breakfast, and lunch
• Caramello – gourmet caramel focused shop downtown
• Peggs Old Fashioned Bakery – neighborhood bakery and deli

Annual Events

Lee’s Summit offers fun annual events and festivals throughout the year that bring the community together:

• Downtown Days Festival – Main Street festival with live music, vendors, and activities. Held each May.
• Lee’s Summit Air Show – Aviation celebration held at Lee’s Summit Municipal Airport. Typically in September.
• Music on Main – Free monthly outdoor concert series from May to October.
• Lee’s Summit Arts Festival – Juried festival featuring artists, music, and activities. Held each September at Harris Park.
• Holiday Lights – Annual lighting ceremony and parade to welcome the holidays. Held day after Thanksgiving.
• Lee’s Summit Farmers Market – 140+ local vendors. Saturdays from April to October.
• Food Truck Festivals – Monthly food truck events from May to October at Howard Station Park.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Lee’s Summit has an estimated population of 101,890 residents. Key demographic data includes:

• Median Age: 36.8 years old
• Median Household Income: $80,834
• Race/Ethnicity Breakdown:
  • White: 85%
  • Hispanic or Latino: 5%
  • Black or African American: 4%
  • Asian: 5%
  • Other: 2%
• Average Household Size: 2.55
• Percentage of households with children: 35%

Lee’s Summit has grown rapidly over the past two decades, nearly doubling in population since 2000. Growth is expected to continue, with the metro area projecting Lee’s Summit will exceed 150,000 residents by 2040.

The city has a highly educated population, with over 45% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. Lee’s Summit also enjoys low unemployment and crime rates coupled with excellent public schools, making it an attractive draw for families.

Real Estate Market

Lee’s Summit real estate is in high demand, fueled by the area’s growing population and economy. In 2022, the median home sales price in Lee’s Summit reached $315,000, reflecting a nearly 15% surge over the prior year. Strong demand continues to drive new construction, with over 1,000 new homes permitted in 2021 alone.

Trends to know in Lee’s Summit real estate:

• New construction remains hot, especially in the M-470 corridor and southeast Lee’s Summit. Several developers are actively building new neighborhoods to meet buyer demand.
• Move-up home buyers continue gravitating to higher end neighborhoods like New Longview, Hawthorn, and Barrington Park.
• Inventory remains tight, leading to bidding wars on homes priced under $400,000.
• With rising mortgage rates, more first-time homebuyers are looking in the $250,000 to $350,000 range. New townhome subdivisions are drawing increased interest from this segment.
• Commercial growth is expanding along View High Drive and near Chipman Road, adding more shopping and dining options.

Lee’s Summit offers excellent quality of life, highly rated schools, and employment growth. This helps explain why real estate remains in such high demand across price points. Homebuyers looking for the best selection and prices may still find relative value in some older neighborhoods south of downtown Lee’s Summit.

Living in Lee’s Summit

Lee’s Summit offers small city amenities coupled with Midwestern hospitality. Residents take pride in their community and the excellent quality of life it provides.

Top advantages of living in Lee’s Summit include:

• Highly rated schools – The Lee’s Summit R-7 School District consistently ranks among the top districts statewide in academic performance. Blue Ribbon and National Merit Scholar programs are available.
• Low crime – Lee’s Summit enjoys exceptionally low crime rates, making it one of America’s safest cities. The area has minimal violent crime with low property crime rates.
• Job growth – Major employers like Burns & McDonnell, AMC Theatres, and GSA bring new jobs to Lee’s Summit. Proximity to Kansas City provides even more job opportunities.
• Parks and recreation – Residents enjoy abundant parks with hiking trails, playgrounds, and sports facilities. Longview Lake offers boating, fishing, swimming, and more. Community events like the air show and concerts provide family-friendly fun.
• Sense of community – Lee’s Summit has a welcoming small town feel where people know their neighbors and rally around community pride. Festivals, farmer’s markets, and events bring residents together regularly.
• Affordability – Housing remains very affordable compared to other growing metro areas. Excellent schools and low crime come at a fraction of the cost of higher priced cities.

Residents who move to Lee’s Summit find a friendly community with natural scenic beauty, thriving businesses, and family-focused amenities. The area offers the ideal blend of small town charm and mid-sized city opportunities.

Conclusion

With its vibrant downtown, scenic lakes, highly rated schools, and family-friendly amenities, Lee’s Summit has become one of the Kansas City region’s most desirable places to live. The city offers a variety of neighborhoods catering to different lifestyles and homebuyer budgets.

From the grand historic homes of Old Lees Summit to the new large lakefront residences of New Longview, Lee’s Summit provides neighborhood options to meet most needs. Ongoing community growth will continue expanding amenities and housing choices throughout the area. Lee’s Summit provides an outstanding quality of life where residents proudly call this friendly Midwest city their home.