Wichita State University lies in this area effecting the housing market significantly. Some of the grandest old homes are located in the College Hill area. Some of the city's most accelerated commerical and residential growth is occurring in the far northeast area. Older, blue-collar neighborhoods are located near to the Downtown area and the areas toward Boeing and McConnell Air Force Base. Newer, suburban homes are located further east.
Young families are everywhere in West Wichita with half the households supporting young children.
There is also growth in commercial development with several new shopping centers. The zoo and the airport are located in the west area of Wichita. Southwest Many of the homes in this area are older, built in the 1950s and 60s. Even older are the homes in the picturesque blocks closer to the downtown area and around Friends University, just south of Douglas and west of Seneca. Further to the southwest there are newer neighborhoods.