Think fast: if someone were to ask you to name Kansas's fastest-growing city, what would you say? The truth is there are several small cities (and large towns) that can easily take this title, but today, I'd like to highlight one amazing town in particular that's exploding in population - so much so that it's made it onto numerous fastest-growing cities lists across the web. This town, known as Gardner, Kansas, is a little slice of paradise right here in the American Plains.

Of all the small towns in Kansas, Gardner is one that doesn't seem to get enough love and attention - and honestly, I kind of prefer it that way. The quieter the town, the brighter the charm - at least for me. I love my towns small and my residents friendly, and that's exactly what you can expect from Gardner.

Gardner, Kansas, is located in Johnson County and has a population of 24,206 as of 2022. The town has seen steady growth since at least 1990, when the population was 4,393, until now - about 20,000 residents later. Talk about booming!

Often considered the southwesternmost "gateway" to Kansas City, this amazing town is heralded as a place where the city meets the country, and I'm inclined to agree. If you should ever find yourself torn between big-city and small-town life, I implore you to explore Gardner. I suspect it'll fit the bill you're looking to fill mighty perfectly.

Thanks to its ever-growing status, there's a seemingly endless stream of amazing things to do in Gardner, Kansas. One of my favorite places in the entire world is Celebration Park, which is iconic in its beauty and serves as the perfect blend of city life and natural wonder.

I mean, come on. Look at that. Just look at it. Kansas is a place of amazing beauty as long as you know where to look - and Gardner is an excellent place to start.

Other notable places in Gardner, Kansas, that are worthy of a visit on a day trip, weekend trip, or longer include hidden gems like Transport Brewery and the Gardner Farmers Market, and a lengthy assortment of museums, historical sites, restaurants, breweries, farms, parks, and more to keep you occupied. In this beautiful small town, you'll never get bored.

It is truly tough to understate the magic of this little town, but one thing's for sure: it won't be little for very much longer, and anyone considering a move to a new town - or to Kansas in general (spoiler: do it, it's a great place to live) - ought to consider a visit or two to Gardner as a starting point. It can only go well!

For more information about this small town in Kansas, check out the official Town of Gardner website. If you can't get enough of Kansas and all its wonders, check out nine awesome things you can only find in Kansas. Planning to visit and need a place to stay? No worries—check out all the coolest offerings from our friends at VRBO.