Kansas City Missouri

by The Linguist

Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City is the largest city in Missouri with a population of around 495,327 as of 2022 according to Wikipedia. It spans parts of Cass, Clay, Jackson and Platte counties in western Missouri. Kansas City is known for its jazz music heritage, barbecue cuisine, fountains, and as the home of the Kansas City Chiefs NFL team and the Kansas City Royals MLB team.

History

Kansas City was founded in 1838 as the Town of Kansas on the Missouri River. It served as a jumping off point for travelers headed west on the Oregon, California and Santa Fe trails in the 19th century. Kansas City grew rapidly after the Civil War and became an important hub for the railroad industry. It officially incorporated as Kansas City, Missouri in 1853. The city expanded its borders through annexation and consolidated with Kansas City, Kansas in the 1920s.

Some key moments in Kansas City’s history include:

  • 1850s – Emergence of steamboat traffic and railroads fuel growth
  • 1870s – The Hannibal Bridge connects Kansas City to railroads on the Kansas side
  • 1880s – Kansas City becomes the second largest railroad center after Chicago
  • 1900s – Pendergast political machine dominates city government for decades
  • 1930s – Kansas City sees extensive building projects and infrastructure improvements
  • 1950s – Suburban sprawl leads declining population in urban core
  • 2000s – Downtown revitalization efforts spur new development

To learn more about the history of Kansas City, visit the Kansas City Public Library and the National Park Service.

Population and Demographics

The 2020 census recorded Kansas City’s population at 495,327 making it the 38th most populous city in the United States. It has a population density of 1,400 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the city is approximately:

  • 59.2% White
  • 28.7% Black
  • 10.5% Hispanic/Latino
  • 2.9% Asian
  • 4.1% Two or more races
  • 1.0% Some other race

The median household income in Kansas City is $51,331 with 18.4% of residents living below the poverty line. Most of the population speaks English with 6.8% speaking Spanish.

Economy and Major Employers

Kansas City has a diverse economy with major industries in finance, transportation, manufacturing, food processing, technology, telecommunications and more. According to the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, the largest employers are:

  • Cerner Corporation (Health care technology) – 14,448 employees
  • HCA Midwest Health System (Health care) – 11,930 employees
  • Ford Motor Company (Automaker) – 8,759 employees
  • Saint Luke’s Health System (Health care) – 7,947 employees
  • Children’s Mercy (Pediatric health care) – 7,431 employees
  • University of Kansas Hospital (Academic medical center) – 5,790 employees
  • City of Kansas City, Missouri (Government) – 4,838 employees

Other major companies headquartered in Kansas City include Garmin, Burns & McDonnell, and DST Systems. Kansas City is also home to an IRS office and two Federal Reserve banks.

In the past, Kansas City’s economy relied heavily on agriculture and manufacturing. Today, the city has expanded into finance, technology, transportation, and tourism. Major initiatives like the KC Streetcar, airport renovations, and downtown revitalization signal Kansas City’s transition to a modern economy.

Transportation

Kansas City has an extensive transportation network that includes:

  • Kansas City International Airport (MCI) – Provides domestic and international flights as the largest airport in the region. Located at 601 Brasilia Ave, Kansas City, MO 64153. Phone: (816) 243-5237.
  • Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport – Offers corporate and private flights. Located at 1 Richards Rd, Kansas City, MO 64116. Phone: (816) 243-3146.
  • RideKC Bus – Operates over 90 bus routes in the metro area. Managed by the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority.
  • KC Streetcar – Provides free streetcar service in downtown Kansas City. Operates on a 2.2 mile route.
  • Amtrak – Offers passenger rail service on the Missouri River Runner route with a station in downtown Kansas City.
  • Major highways like I-70, I-35, and I-29 run through the Kansas City area.

Public transportation is coordinated by the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority. Visit their website for schedules, route maps, and trip planning.

Education

Public education in Kansas City is managed by Kansas City Public Schools with over 15,000 students across 28 schools. There are also many private and charter school options in the city.

Notable colleges and universities in Kansas City include:

Kansas City is also home to three law schools, two medical schools, and several seminary and theology schools.

Culture and Landmarks

As a major Midwestern city, Kansas City is home to many cultural institutions and historic landmarks including:

  • The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art – An encyclopedic art museum known for its extensive collection. Located at 4525 Oak St, Kansas City, MO 64111. Phone: (816) 751-1278.
  • Country Club Plaza – An upscale shopping district developed in 1922 featuring Spanish architecture. Located along Broadway and 47th Street.
  • 18th & Vine Jazz District – The hub of Kansas City’s jazz scene with museums, clubs, and restaurants. Located around 18th Street and Vine Street.
  • Crown Center – A shopping, dining, and entertainment complex opened in 1973. Home of the KC Streetcar and Hallmark’s headquarters. Located at 2450 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108.
  • Union Station Kansas City – A historic train station reopened as a museum and science center. Located at 30 W Pershing Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108. Phone: (816) 460-2020.
  • National World War I Museum and Memorial – America’s leading World War I museum located at Liberty Memorial. 2 Memorial Dr, Kansas City, MO 64108. Phone: (816) 888-8122.
  • Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts – Home of the Kansas City Ballet, Lyric Opera, and Kansas City Symphony. Located at 1601 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108. Phone: (816) 994-7200.
  • KC Live! – Dining and entertainment district near the Power & Light District. Features the Kansas City Power & Light Building at 1338 Baltimore Ave, Kansas City, MO 64105.

Kansas City also has over 200 fountains, more than any other city in the world outside of Rome. Popular fountains include the J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain near Country Club Plaza, the Fountain of Neptune in the Library District, and the Giralda Plaza Fountain in the Power & Light District.

Sports

Professional sports are a big part of Kansas City’s culture. Major teams include:

  • Kansas City Chiefs – Play in the NFL at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium located at 1 Arrowhead Dr, Kansas City, MO 64129.
  • Kansas City Royals – Play in the MLB at Kauffman Stadium located at 1 Royal Way, Kansas City, MO 64129.
  • Sporting Kansas City – Play in the MLS at Children’s Mercy Park located at 2200 N Ameristar Dr, Kansas City, KS 66111.

The city also has minor league and college teams along with NASCAR racing at the Kansas Speedway in nearby Kansas City, Kansas.

Parks and Recreation

The Kansas City Parks and Recreation department maintains over 200 parks covering over 11,000 acres of land. Major parks include:

  • Swope Park – Home to the Kansas City Zoo, Starlight Theatre, golf course, and more. Located at Gregory Blvd & The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64132.
  • Loose Park – The 3rd largest park with picnic sites, trails, and a rose garden. Located at 5200 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO 64112.
  • Cliff Drive Scenic Byway – Follows the cliffs along the Missouri River northeast of downtown with scenic overlooks.
  • Washington Square Park – The oldest city park founded in 1826 in the River Market district. Located at 5th St & Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64106.

There are also many neighborhood parks, trails, public pools, community centers, gardens, and more operated by the city’s parks department. Visit KC Parks to find a park near you.

Museums and Attractions

Top museums and attractions in Kansas City include:

Kansas City Location and Map

Kansas City is located on Missouri’s western border across the Kansas River from Kansas City, Kansas. It sits at the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers in the Midwestern United States.

Here are the GPS coordinates for three popular Kansas City landmarks:

  • Country Club Plaza: 39.048889, -94.591667
  • Union Station: 39.098528, -94.582490
  • Nelson-Atkins Museum: 39.035370, -94.595670

Kansas City is located in parts of Jackson, Cass, Clay, and Platte counties in Missouri. The city government website can be found at KCMO.gov.

The above map shows the city limits of Kansas City, Missouri.

Additional Local Resources

Here are some additional resources to find information about Kansas City: