Walker, KS

Walker is a small town in Johnson County, Kansas, located about 25 miles south of Wichita. The population was 1,851 at the 2010 census. Walker is home to the Walker County Fairgrounds and the Walker County Historical Museum.

The first settlers in Walker were members of the Mormon Church who arrived in 1868. The town was named for General James B. Walker, a Civil War hero and governor of New Mexico Territory. A post office was established in 1870, and by 1880 there were enough people living in Walker to form a town council.

Walker's economy has traditionally been based on agriculture and livestock farming. However, since the late 1990s there has been a significant increase in commercial development due to its proximity to Wichita and its strong job market. In 2006, Forbes magazine ranked Walker as one of America's "10 Best Small Towns To Live In."

Today, Walker is home to several businesses including an insurance company, two banks (one of which is locally owned), two restaurants (one of which is locally owned), two hair salons (both locally owned), two car dealerships (one of which is locally owned), an optometrist/eye doctor office (locally owned), a fitness center/gym (owned by a national chain but with local management), and several other small businesses. There are also several churches and schools located in Walker.