As seen in the August 2008 issue of Money magazine and on the web at CNNMoney.com.
Olathe, KS
Top 100 rank: 11
Population: 114,600
One of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, Olathe was reportedly named for the Shawnee word for “beautiful.”
Once a prairie of wildflowers, Olathe has outgrown its sleepy roots with tremendous development: this Kansas City suburb is home to Honeywell, ALDI, Garmin and Farmers Insurance Group.
It also hosts the championship games of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Outdoor recreation opportunities abound, including running, cycling, fishing, boating, and team sports. The area is also popular for hot-air ballooning and sailboarding, and it has two public lakes.