SafekipediaKansas City, Missouri
Adapted from Wikipedia · Adventurer experience
Kansas City, Missouri, often called KC or KCMO, is the largest city in Missouri. It is where the Missouri River meets the Kansas River. The city covers parts of Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Cass counties.
The city started in the 1830s as a port and grew fast. It was first named Kansas but was renamed Kansas City so people would not confuse it with the nearby Kansas Territory. Today, Kansas City covers about 319 square miles.
Kansas City is known for its jazz music, beautiful fountains (it is called the "City of Fountains"), and tasty Kansas City–style barbecue. The city has popular sports teams like the Chiefs and Royals. Different neighborhoods, such as the River Market District, 18th and Vine District, and the Country Club Plaza, each add to the city's charm.
History
Main article: History of the Kansas City metropolitan area
For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Kansas City, Missouri.
The town of Kansas, Missouri was started in 1850, renamed "City of Kansas" in 1853, and became "Kansas City" in 1889. The area is where the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri rivers meets, and was a good place to live.
The Antioch Christian Church, Dr. James Compton House, and Woodneath are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Exploration and settlement
In the past, many different tribes lived in the area, including the Hopewell tradition, Mississippian culture, Kansa, Osage, Otoe, and Missouri. The first European to visit the area was Étienne de Veniard, Sieur de Bourgmont. He lived with a Native American wife near Brunswick, Missouri.
He wrote two books about the area. French cartographer Guillaume Delisle used these books to make the first map of the area.
The Spanish took control of the area in 1763 but did not play a big role except for collecting taxes. The French continued their fur trade with Spanish permission. The Chouteau family worked under Spanish rules in St. Louis, and in 1821 they reached Kansas City, where François Chouteau started a place called Chouteau's Landing.
After the Louisiana Purchase (1803)
See also: Bleeding Kansas and History of slavery in Missouri
After the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, Lewis and Clark visited the place where the Kansas and Missouri rivers meet. In 1831, a group of Mormons from New York state led by Joseph Smith came to live in the area. They built the first school in what became Kansas City, but had to leave in 1833.
In 1831, Gabriel Prudhomme Sr., a Canadian trapper and partner of François Chouteau, bought land by the Missouri River. He built a home for his family and ran a ferry.
In 1833, John McCoy created West Port along the Santa Fe Trail, a few miles from the river. In 1834, McCoy started Westport Landing as a place for boats to stop.
In 1850, this area became the town of Kansas, Missouri. By this time, Kansas, Westport, and nearby Independence were important spots for the westward expansion of the United States. Three big trails – the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon – all went through Jackson County.
On February 22, 1853, Kansas became the City of Kansas with its first mayor, William Samuel Gregory. The city was 0.70 square miles (1.8 km2) and had 2,500 people.
American Civil War
Further information: American Civil War
During the Civil War, the city and nearby areas saw a lot of military activity. The First Battle of Independence in 1862 was a win for the Confederate States Army, but they could not use it to their advantage because Kansas City was held by Union troops. The Second Battle of Independence in 1864 was also a win for the Confederates, but they were later defeated in the Battle of Westport, ending their efforts in Missouri.
General Thomas Ewing made rules to move people out of some areas after a raid on Lawrence, Kansas.
After Civil War
After the Civil War, Kansas City grew quickly. The city was chosen over Leavenworth, Kansas for the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad bridge over the Missouri River, which helped it grow. The population grew fast after 1869 when the Hannibal Bridge opened. The city changed its name to Kansas City in 1889 and grew larger. Westport became part of Kansas City in 1897. By 1900, Kansas City was the 22nd largest city in the country, with 163,752 people.
Landscape architect George Kessler helped make Kansas City beautiful with parks and wide streets.
The old Union Depot was replaced by the new Union Station in 1914, and the Liberty Memorial opened in 1923. Robert A. Long, a rich businessman, helped pay for these.
The Country Club Plaza area was built in 1925 by J. C. Nichols.
20th century streetcar system
The Kansas City streetcar system once had many miles of streetcars and was one of the largest in the country. The 8th Street Tunnel was built in 1903 for streetcars. The last streetcar ran on June 23, 1957, but the tunnel is still there.
Pendergast era
At the start of the 20th century, political machines became powerful in the city, with Tom Pendergast leading by 1925. Many important buildings were built during this time, including the Kansas City City Hall and the Jackson County Courthouse. He helped a friend’s nephew, Harry S. Truman, start a political career. Truman later became a senator, vice president, and president.
In 1950, African Americans made up 12.2% of Kansas City's population. The largest group, non-Hispanic whites, dropped from 89.5% in 1930 to 54.9% in 2010.
In 1940, the city had about 400,000 people; by 2000, it had about 440,000. From 1940 to 1960, the city grew more than twice in size, but the population only went up by about 75,000. By 1970, the city covered about 316 square miles (820 km2), more than five times its size in 1940.[citation needed]
21st century
Downtown Kansas City re-development
In the 21st century, the Kansas City area has had big changes, with more than $6 billion spent to improve the downtown area on the Missouri side. Goals include attracting visitors, office workers, and residents to downtown. Projects include turning the Power & Light District into a place for shopping and fun; the Sprint Center arena, which opened in 2007 and was renamed T-Mobile Center in 2020; and the Kauffman Performing Arts Center, which opened in 2011.
From 2007 to 2017, the number of people living downtown grew four times. The area went from about 4,000 residents in the early 2000s to nearly 30,000 by 2017[update]
In 2016, Jackson County got old railroad tracks for a future train plan. For now, they are turning the tracks into a walking trail.
On November 7, 2017, Kansas City voters approved a new single terminal at Kansas City International Airport. The new terminal replaced the old ones on February 28, 2023.
Geography
Kansas City, Missouri, covers an area of 319 square miles, with most of it being land and a small part being water. The city is surrounded by limestone and cliffs and sits near where the Missouri and Kansas Rivers meet. It is close to the center of the United States.
Kansas City has many neighborhoods, some of which were once their own cities. The city has many fountains and important buildings, like the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The City Market has been busy for shoppers and sellers since 1857, and it includes the Arabia Steamboat Museum. Downtown Kansas City has many shops, restaurants, and fun places to visit, including the Power & Light District.
Kansas City has hot, humid summers and cold winters. The city can get very hot, sometimes over 100 °F, and it can get very cold, sometimes below 0 °F. The city can sometimes have strong storms, including tornadoes, especially in the spring.
Main article: Architecture of Kansas City
Further information: List of fountains in the Kansas City metropolitan area and List of tallest buildings in Kansas City, Missouri
Main article: Downtown Kansas City
Demographics
Kansas City has many people from different backgrounds. Most Latino/Hispanic people are Mexican and from Central America. They live all over the city, especially in the northeast and southwest parts. Many Asian people, mostly from Southeast Asia, live in the northeast near Columbus Park, the Greater Downtown area (a historically Italian American neighborhood), near UMKC, and in River Market and northern Kansas City.
Kansas City covers about 58 square miles (150 km2) and has about 5,000 people living in each square mile (1,900/km2). The city’s borders are the Missouri River on the north (except for a small community named Harlem and Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport), 79th Street on the south, the Blue River on the east, and State Line Road on the west. From the 1950s to the 1970s, Kansas City added large areas of land, but most of it is still mostly empty.
Between 2000 and 2010, some parts of Kansas City lost people, but a few areas grew. Greater Downtown, parts near I-435 and I-470 in the south, and Highway 152 in the north saw increases, with the Northland growing the most. Even so, the total population of Kansas City grew by 4.1% from 2000 to 2010.
In February 2022, the city had an estimated 3,000 homeless people.
The racial makeup of Kansas City was 55.30% White alone, 26.10% Black alone, 0.63% Native American alone, 3.14% Asian alone, 0.30% Pacific Islander alone, 5.52% other race alone, and 9.00% Multiracial or Mixed Race.
When counting Hispanics separately, the makeup was 52.80% White alone (non-Hispanic), 25.78% Black alone (non-Hispanic), 0.36% Native Americans alone (non-Hispanic), 3.11% Asian alone (non-Hispanic), 0.29% Pacific Islander alone (non-Hispanic), 0.47% other race alone (non-Hispanic), 5.20% Multiracial or Mixed Race (non-Hispanic), and 12.00% Hispanic or Latino.
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 4,418 | — | |
| 1870 | 32,260 | 630.2% | |
| 1880 | 55,785 | 72.9% | |
| 1890 | 132,716 | 137.9% | |
| 1900 | 163,752 | 23.4% | |
| 1910 | 248,381 | 51.7% | |
| 1920 | 324,410 | 30.6% | |
| 1930 | 399,746 | 23.2% | |
| 1940 | 400,178 | 0.1% | |
| 1950 | 456,622 | 14.1% | |
| 1960 | 475,539 | 4.1% | |
| 1970 | 507,087 | 6.6% | |
| 1980 | 448,159 | −11.6% | |
| 1990 | 435,146 | −2.9% | |
| 2000 | 441,545 | 1.5% | |
| 2010 | 459,787 | 4.1% | |
| 2020 | 508,090 | 10.5% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 516,032 | 1.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2010–2020 | |||
| Historical racial composition | 2020 | 2010 | 1990 | 1970 | 1940 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | 59.7% | 59.2% | 66.8% | 77.2% | 89.5% |
| Black or African American | 26.5% | 29.9% | 29.6% | 22.1% | 10.4% |
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) | 10.7% | 10.0% | 3.9% | 2.7% | N/A |
| Two or more races | 6.3% | 3.2% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.5% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| American Indian and Alaska Natives | 0.4% | 0.5% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | 0.3% | 0.2% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 254,471 | 252,257 | 268,273 | 57.63% | 54.86% | 52.80% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 136,921 | 135,916 | 130,983 | 31.01% | 29.56% | 25.78% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 1,784 | 1,823 | 1,854 | 0.40% | 0.40% | 0.36% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 8,100 | 11,275 | 15,793 | 1.83% | 2.45% | 3.11% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 442 | 787 | 1,456 | 0.10% | 0.17% | 0.29% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 757 | 709 | 2,366 | 0.17% | 0.15% | 0.47% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 8,466 | 11,067 | 26,396 | 1.92% | 2.41% | 5.20% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 30,604 | 45,953 | 60,969 | 6.93% | 9.99% | 12.00% |
| Total | 441,545 | 459,787 | 508,090 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Economy
Main article: Economy of Kansas City
Kansas City has many important jobs and workplaces. The federal government is the biggest employer in the area, with many agencies. The Internal Revenue Service has a big office here that helps with taxes. The General Services Administration also has workers in the city, mostly at the Bannister Federal Complex. There are jobs at places like the Social Security Administration.
The city is home to many companies and groups. It has important places for animal health research and medical studies. Some big companies based in Kansas City include Hallmark Cards and H&R Block. The city also has headquarters for groups like the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank opened a new building in 2008. Missouri is special because it has two of these banks, with the other in St. Louis.
Headquarters
The following companies are headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri:
- American Century Investments
- Andrews McMeel Universal
- Applebee's (former)
- Barkley Inc.
- Bernstein-Rein
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City
- BNIM
- Boulevard Brewing Company
- Burns & McDonnell
- Children International
- Commerce Bancshares
- Copaken, White & Blitt
- Evergy, formerly Great Plains Energy
- Freightquote.com
- Garney Holding Company
- H&R Block
- Hallmark Cards
- HNTB
- Hostess Brands
- J. E. Dunn Construction Group
- JHS Pedals
- Kansas City Southern Railway
- Lockton Companies
- MANICA Architecture
- Novastar Financial
- Populous
- Russell Stover Candies
- Smith Electric Vehicles
- UMB Financial Corporation
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Walton Construction
Top employers
According to the city's report for the year ending April 30, 2024, the top ten employers are as follows:
| Rank | Employer | Employees | Percentage of total employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Public school districts/systems | 47,161 | 4.15% |
| 2. | Federal government | 38,651 | 3.40% |
| 3. | State/county governments/city government | 29,317 | 2.58% |
| 4. | University of Kansas Hospital | 14,763 | 1.30% |
| 5. | HCA Midwest Health System | 10,051 | 0.88% |
| 6. | Saint Luke's Health System | 9,976 | 0.88% |
| 7. | Ford Motor Co. Kansas City Assembly Plant | 9,021 | 0.79% |
| 8. | Children's Mercy | 7,688 | 0.68% |
| 9. | Honeywell Federal Manufacturing | 6,637 | 0.58% |
| 10. | Oracle Cerner | 6,400 | 0.56% |
Culture
Abbreviations and nicknames
Kansas City, Missouri is often called KCMO. The area around it is known as KC. People who live there are called Kansas Citians. The city is officially known as the City of Fountains because of its many fountains, especially at Kauffman Stadium. In 2018, UNESCO named Kansas City a City of Music in the US for its support of music and arts. The city has more boulevards than any city except Paris and is sometimes called the Paris of the Plains. It is also known as the Heart of America because it is close to the center of the United States.
Performing arts
Kansas City has a long history of theater and music. In the early 1900s, many theaters were built, and by the 1920s, it was a center for vaudeville shows. Today, the Kansas City Repertory Theatre and the Starlight Theatre are popular spots for plays. The Kansas City Symphony, started in 1982, performs at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Other groups like the Lyric Opera of Kansas City and the Civic Opera Theater also perform there. The Heart of America Shakespeare Festival happens every summer near the Nelson-Atkins Museum.
Jazz
Kansas City has a famous history with jazz music, especially in the 1930s and 1940s. The city still celebrates this with the annual Kansas City Blues and Jazz Festival. Many music venues are found in areas like Westport and the 18th and Vine neighborhood. In 2018, UNESCO named Kansas City a City of Music for its musical heritage.
Irish culture
Many people in Kansas City have Irish roots. The Irish community started settling there early on and has kept its traditions alive with festivals, bands, and dance. The Kansas City Irish Fest happens every Labor Day weekend.
Casinos
In 1992, Missouri allowed riverboat casinos, and the first one opened in 1994. Today, there are several casinos in the Kansas City area.
Cuisine
Kansas City is well-known for its steaks and special style of barbecue. The city was once home to big stockyards, and its steaks are famous. The Kansas City-style barbecue started in the 1920s and is famous for its sweet sauce. Many barbecue places compete in the American Royal contest each fall.
Points of interest
Kansas City has many places to see and visit.
Religion
Many people in the Kansas City area have different religious beliefs. The most common include Catholic, Baptist, and Methodist, among others.
Walt Disney
Walt Disney grew up in Kansas City and made his first animations there. He started his first animation company, Laugh-O-Gram Studio, before moving to Hollywood to start The Walt Disney Company.
| Name | Description | Photo |
|---|---|---|
| Country Club Plaza District | This district was developed in 1922 featuring Spanish-styled architecture and upscale shops and restaurants. Nearby are the University of Missouri–Kansas City, the Kansas City Art Institute, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. | |
| 18th and Vine | Home of distinctive Kansas City jazz, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, the American Jazz Museum, and the future home of the MLB Urban Youth Academy. Several jazz clubs and venues include the Gem Theater and the Blue Room. | |
| Crossroads Arts District | Home to several restaurants, art galleries, and hotels. First Friday is a monthly event with pop-up galleries, food trucks, venue deals, and music events. Union Station and the Kauffman Center are here. Union Station has varying exhibits, including at Science City. | |
| Westport District | Originally a separate town until annexed by Kansas City, it contains several restaurants, shops, and nightlife options. Along with the Power and Light District, it is one of the city's main entertainment areas. The University of Kansas Hospital is close to the district, just across State Line Road. | |
| Power and Light District | A new shopping and entertainment district within the Central Business District, it was developed by the Cordish Companies. The T-Mobile Center is a major anchor and the Midland Theatre is a concert venue. | |
| River Market District/ Berkley Riverfront Park | Kansas City's original neighborhood on the Missouri River contains one of the country's largest and longest lasting public farmers' markets in the nation, and the Steamboat Arabia Museum. The new streetcar line's northernmost loop through the River Market with three stops around City Market. Pedestrians can take the Town of Kansas Bridge connection to the Riverfront Heritage Trail to Berkley Riverfront Park, which is operated by Port KC. | |
| Crown Center | Developed by Hallmark, it is a short walk from the National World War I Museum and Memorial (Liberty Memorial). | |
| West Bottoms | The West Bottoms originated primarily as stockyards and for industrial uses, but is slowly being revitalized with apartments and shops. It has Kemper Arena. | |
| Kansas City, North | Several attractions are north of the Missouri River. Zona Rosa is a mixed-used development with shopping, dining, and events. The Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport features the Aviation History Museum. Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun are major amusement parks of the midwest. | |
| Swope Park | Swope Park has 1,805 acres (730 ha), a larger total space than Central Park, with several attractions including the Kansas City Zoo and Starlight Theatre is the second largest outdoor musical theatre venue in the U.S. Sporting Kansas City practice at the soccer complex. |
Sports
Main article: Sports in Kansas City
Kansas City has several professional sports teams. The Kansas City Chiefs play football in the National Football League. The Kansas City Royals play baseball in Major League Baseball. And Sporting Kansas City plays soccer in Major League Soccer.
The Chiefs started in 1960 and have won several big games over the years. The Royals began in 1969 and have also achieved a lot. Sporting Kansas City started in 1996 and has won many prizes too.
Professional football
The Chiefs joined the NFL in 1960 and have won big games called Super Bowls in 1969, 2020, 2023, and 2024.
Professional baseball
The Royals have reached and won the World Series, baseball’s biggest championship, in 1985 and 2015.
Professional soccer
Sporting Kansas City has won the MLS Cup twice, the Supporters’ Shield once, and the US Open Cup four times.
Kansas City will be a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
College athletics
The city hosts the Big 12 College Basketball Tournaments. The University of Missouri–Kansas City's team, the Kansas City Roos, competes in NCAA Division I.
Rugby
The Kansas City Blues RFC represents the city in rugby.
Former teams
Kansas City has had many teams that no longer play here, including teams in baseball, basketball, and hockey.
| Club | Sport | Founded | League | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City Chiefs | Football | 1960 (as the Dallas Texans) 1963 (as Kansas City Chiefs) | National Football League | Arrowhead Stadium |
| Kansas City Royals | Baseball | 1969 | Major League Baseball | Kauffman Stadium |
| Sporting Kansas City | Soccer | 1996 | Major League Soccer | Sporting Park (Kansas City, Kansas) |
| Sporting Kansas City II | Soccer | 2016 | MLS Next Pro | Sporting Park (Kansas City, Kansas) |
| Kansas City Current | Soccer | 2018 (as Utah Royals FC) 2021 (as KC NWSL) | National Women's Soccer League | CPKC Stadium |
| Kansas City Mavericks | Hockey | 2009 | ECHL | Cable Dahmer Arena (Independence) |
| Kansas City Comets | Indoor soccer | 2010 | Major Arena Soccer League | Cable Dahmer Arena (Independence) |
| Kansas City Monarchs | Baseball | 1993 (as the Duluth-Superior Dukes) 2003 (as the Kansas City T-Bones) | American Association | Legends Field |
| Kansas City Blues | Rugby union | 1966 | USA Rugby Division 1 | Swope Park Training Complex |
| Kansas City Storm | Women's football | 2004 | WTFA | North Kansas City High School |
| Kansas City Goats | Arena football | 2023 | The Arena League | Municipal Arena |
Parks and boulevards
Kansas City has many beautiful parks and wide, pleasant roads for walking and driving. There are over 200 parks, 50 fountains, and many places to play sports like baseball and tennis. The city also has golf courses, museums, and swimming pools.
One famous park is Swope Park, which is one of the largest city parks in the United States. It includes a zoo, lakes, golf courses, and a special outdoor stage for performances. The city’s park system was designed by George E. Kessler and was built between 1893 and 1915. It was later honored for its smart planning and design.
Law and government
Kansas City has the largest city government in Missouri. It uses a council/manager system. The mayor leads the Kansas City City Council, which has 12 members. Elections happen every four years. The most recent election was in April 2023.
The city has hosted important events, like national political conventions. It is also home to important courts, including the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri.
| Office | Officeholder |
|---|---|
| Mayor (presides over Council) | Quinton Lucas |
| Councilman, District 1 At-large | Kevin O'Neill |
| Councilman, District 1 | Nathan Willett |
| Councilwoman, District 2 At-large | Lindsey French |
| Councilman, District 2 | Wes Rodgers |
| Councilwoman, District 3 At-large | Melissa Patterson Hazley |
| Councilwoman, District 3 | Melissa Robinson |
| Councilman, District 4 At-large | Crispin Rea |
| Councilman, District 4 | Eric Bunch |
| Councilman, District 5 At-large | Darrell Curls |
| Councilwoman, District 5 | Ryana Parks-Shaw |
| Councilwoman, District 6 At-large | Andrea Bough |
| Councilman, District 6 | Johnathan Duncan |
| City Manager | Mario Vasquez |
| Mayor Pro-Tem | Ryana Parks-Shaw |
Education
Main article: List of schools of Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri, has many colleges and universities. Well-known schools include the University of Missouri–Kansas City, Rockhurst University, and the Kansas City Art Institute. These schools offer many different programs for students.
The city also has many primary and secondary schools. Because of its history, Kansas City has 15 different school districts. Some of these schools are highly ranked, while others face challenges. There are also many private schools, including Catholic schools.
Kansas City is home to several important libraries and archives. The Linda Hall Library is known for its science and technology collections. The Mid-Continent Public Library is one of the largest in the United States. The Kansas City Public Library is the oldest in the city. There are also special libraries at the University of Missouri–Kansas City and Rockhurst University, as well as the Black Archives of Mid-America, which focuses on African American history in the Midwest. The National Archives and Records Administration has a regional center in Kansas City that holds many important historical records.
Media
Main article: Media in Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri, has many ways for people to get news and entertainment. The main newspaper is The Kansas City Star, which started in 1880. There are also smaller papers like The Call, The Pitch, and others.
The city has many TV and radio stations. Some famous people began their careers in Kansas City before moving on to big national shows. The TV networks like Fox, CBS, ABC, and PBS all have stations here. Over the years, Kansas City has been a place where movies and TV shows are made. Famous films like The Day After and Truman were filmed here. Today, there are groups working to help make more independent films in the city.
Transportation
Main articles: Kansas City metropolitan area § Transportation, and Kansas City metropolitan area
Kansas City has a long history of transportation. It began as an important place for travelers on famous trails like the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California trails. Later, the Hannibal Bridge helped make it a center for railroads, with lots of trains passing through. Airlines like Trans World Airlines (TWA) also started here, hoping to make it a big airport city.
Missouri and Kansas were among the first to build interstates, including Interstate 70. The city is surrounded by Interstate 435, one of the longest beltways in the Interstate Highway System. The area has many highways and roads, making it easy to travel.
Interstate highways
Kansas City has many major U.S. interstate highways: I-29, I-35, I-49, I-70, I-435, I-470, I-635, and I-670.
US highways
Kansas City includes these US highways: US 24, US 40, US 50, US 56, US 69, US 71, and US 169.
Missouri state highways
State routes are Route 1, Route 9, Route 12, Route 45, Route 78, Route 92, Route 150, Route 152, Route 210, Route 269, Route 283, Route 291, and Route 350. Missouri supplemental routes are Route AA, Route D, Route K, Route V, and Route W.
Other routes
Other routes include the Chicago–Kansas City Expressway and the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.
Kansas City International Airport (MCI) was built to be a major world hub. Its design made travel easy for passengers. In March 2023, a new $1.5 billion terminal opened, replacing the old one.
Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport (MKC) was TWA's first headquarters and now holds the Airline History Museum. It is used for small planes and air shows.
Like many American cities, Kansas City once had many streetcars. By 1957, they stopped running because the city grew outward.
Amtrak runs two train routes through Kansas City: the Southwest Chief to Chicago or Los Angeles, and the Missouri River Runner to St. Louis.
On December 28, 1965, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) was created to manage public transportation.
RideKC Bus and MAX
In July 2005, KCATA started the first bus rapid transit line, called the Metro Area Express (MAX). MAX connects River Market, Downtown, Union Station, Crown Center, and Country Club Plaza. It looks more like a train than a normal bus, with modern buses and special stops. It even has real-time tracking and special traffic lights to help buses stay on time. A second MAX line opened on Troost Avenue in 2010, and another is planned for Prospect Avenue.
The Prospect MAX line started in 2019 and will not charge fares forever.
RideKC Streetcar
On December 12, 2012, voters approved building a $102 million, 2-mile modern KC Streetcar line downtown. It runs along Main Street from River Market to Union Station and began service on May 6, 2016. A new group runs and cares for it. No fares are charged at first. Plans are to extend it through Midtown and the Plaza to UMKC, and to Berkley Riverfront Park by May 2026.
RideKC Bridj
In 2015, several transit services merged into one called RideKC. RideKC Bridj started in 2016 and works like a taxicab service with a mobile app. The full merger is expected to finish by 2019.
Intercity transit
Intercity buses to Kansas City are offered by Greyhound Lines and Jefferson Lines at the Kansas City Bus Station. Amtrak also stops at Union Station with the Southwest Chief and Missouri River Runner.
Most people in Kansas City drive to work—about 81.6 percent drive alone, 7.9 percent carpool, 2.7 percent use public transport, and 1.7 percent walk. About 1.5 percent use other ways to get to work. Around 4.6 percent work from home.
Sister cities
Kansas City has 15 sister cities.
Notable people
Main article: List of people from Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri has been home to many famous people. Some well-known residents include cartoonists like Walt Disney, Friz Freleng, and Ub Iwerks. The city has also been home to famous musicians such as Count Basie and Tech N9ne. Notable actors from the area include Don Cheadle and Chris Cooper. Politicians such as Emanuel Cleaver and Tom Pendergast have also lived there, along with famous reporter Walter Cronkite.
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