SafekipediaKansas City, Kansas
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Kansas City, Kansas, often called KCK, is the third-largest city in the state of Kansas. It serves as the county seat of Wyandotte County. The city is close to and named after the larger Kansas City, Missouri, and it is one of the main cities in the wide Kansas City metropolitan area.
As of the 2020 census, Kansas City, Kansas had a population of 156,607 people. The city is located at an important place called Kaw Point, where the Missouri and Kansas rivers meet. It is part of a special kind of government called the "Unified Government," which combines city and county services.
Kansas City, Kansas is also home to important places for learning, such as the University of Kansas Medical Center and Kansas City Kansas Community College. These schools help make the city a center for education and healthcare.
History
Kansas City, Kansas, began as a place called Wyandotte, which was officially started in 1859. In 1872, it was named Kansas City. Over the years, more areas joined together to form the city we know today.
The city grew quickly in the 1890s and was one of the nation’s bigger cities for many years. It has changed over time, with shifts in its population. In 1997, the city and county governments joined together to work as one.
Geography
Kansas City, Kansas, covers a total area of 128.38 square miles, with 124.81 square miles of land and 3.57 square miles of water.
The city includes many neighborhoods such as Downtown, Argentine, Armourdale, Fairfax District, Hanover Heights, Maywood, Piper, Polish Hill, Rosedale, Strawberry Hill, and Turner.
There are also several parks and parkways, including City Park, Wyandotte County Lake Park, Big Eleven Park, Boston Daniels' Park, and Kaw Point Park.
Kansas City has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers can be hot, with temperatures sometimes reaching above 100 °F, while winters can be cold, with temperatures sometimes dropping below freezing. The city is located near Tornado Alley, so it can experience powerful storms, including tornadoes, especially in the spring. The area is also sometimes affected by ice storms and flooding.
Demographics
2020 census
The 2020 United States census counted 156,607 people in Kansas City. The city had 57,079 homes and 36,392 families. The number of people living in each square mile was 1,255.5.
People in Kansas City come from many different backgrounds. About 35% are White alone (non-Hispanic), 21% are Black alone (non-Hispanic), and 35% are Hispanic or Latino. Smaller groups include those who are Asian alone (non-Hispanic), Native American alone (non-Hispanic), and people of two or more races.
Most families in the city have an average of 2.7 people, and most groups of families have an average of 3.5 people. About 12% of people have finished a bachelor's degree or more.
2010 census
According to the 2010 census, there were 145,786 people living in the city. The number of people living in each square mile was 1,168.1.
People in Kansas City come from many different backgrounds. About 40% are Non-Hispanic Whites, 27% are Black or African American, and 28% are Hispanic or Latino. Smaller groups include those who are Asian, Native American, and people of two or more races.
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 3,200 | — | |
| 1890 | 38,316 | 1,097.4% | |
| 1900 | 51,418 | 34.2% | |
| 1910 | 82,331 | 60.1% | |
| 1920 | 101,177 | 22.9% | |
| 1930 | 121,857 | 20.4% | |
| 1940 | 121,458 | −0.3% | |
| 1950 | 129,553 | 6.7% | |
| 1960 | 121,901 | −5.9% | |
| 1970 | 168,213 | 38.0% | |
| 1980 | 161,087 | −4.2% | |
| 1990 | 149,767 | −7.0% | |
| 2000 | 146,866 | −1.9% | |
| 2010 | 145,786 | −0.7% | |
| 2020 | 156,607 | 7.4% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 156,752 | 0.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2010–2020 | |||
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 71,870 | 58,655 | 53,962 | 48.94% | 40.23% | 34.46% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 43,865 | 38,403 | 33,105 | 29.87% | 26.34% | 21.14% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 830 | 702 | 619 | 0.57% | 0.48% | 0.40% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 2,477 | 3,815 | 7,512 | 1.69% | 2.62% | 4.80% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 39 | 136 | 347 | 0.03% | 0.09% | 0.22% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 212 | 179 | 537 | 0.14% | 0.12% | 0.34% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 2,934 | 3,374 | 6,381 | 2.00% | 2.31% | 4.07% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 24,639 | 40,522 | 54,144 | 16.78% | 27.80% | 34.57% |
| Total | 146,866 | 145,786 | 156,607 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Economy
Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that jobs in Wyandotte County, Kansas, grew by 4% from March 2011 to March 2012. This big increase put the county 19th in the nation and first in the Kansas City area for job growth by September 28, 2012.
Kansas City is home to the General Motors Fairfax Assembly Plant, which makes the Chevrolet Malibu and the Cadillac XT4. The Federal Bureau of Prisons has its North Central Region Office here. Other big companies include Associated Wholesale Grocers and Kansas City Steak Company. The biggest employer is the University of Kansas Hospital. The nearby University of Kansas Medical Center is also a major employer, with about 3,000 students.
Village West is a busy area where many shops and entertainment spots are located. It is found where two big roads meet. Places here include the Kansas Speedway, Hollywood Casino, The Legends At Village West, movie theaters, stores, restaurants, and sports stadiums like Sporting Park for Sporting Kansas City Major League Soccer. In 2009, a big waterpark resort called Schlitterbahn Vacation Village opened nearby, but it closed after the 2018 season.
In 2011, Google chose Kansas City to build an experimental fiber-optic network for free. Over 1,100 cities had applied, but Kansas City was selected. The network started working in 2012. Piper, Kansas became the first town in the U.S. to have super-fast internet speeds using this new network.
Largest employers
According to the city's 2013 report, the biggest employers in the city are:
| # | Employer | # of employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Kansas Hospital | 5,000+ |
| 2 | University of Kansas Medical Center | 3,500–4,000 |
| 3 | General Motors Corporation | 3,500–4,000 |
| 4 | Kansas City, KS School District #500 | 2,500–4,000 |
| 5 | Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Railroad | 2,500–4,000 |
| 6 | Cerner Closed 2020 | 1,000–2,499 |
| 7 | Unified Government of Wyandotte Co/KCK / Kansas City, Kansas | 1,000–2,499 |
| 8 | Associated Grocers | 1,000–2,499 |
| 9 | Providence Medical Center | 1,000–2,499 |
| 10 | Nebraska Furniture Mart | 1,000–2,499 |
Government
Kansas City, Kansas, has a special kind of government where the city and county work together as one. This means the city and county are managed together. This idea was approved by voters in 1997.
The city has its own police and fire departments. The police department began in 1898, and the fire department started on December 25, 1883. The fire department has many teams that help with different kinds of emergencies.
Law enforcement
The Kansas City Police Department keeps the city safe. It was started in 1898 with 46 people.
Some years ago, a former police detective faced serious accusations of wrongdoing. Because of these accusations, a person named Lamonte McIntire was cleared of a crime after many years in prison in 2017. The detective did not go to trial for these claims and passed away before his court date in 2024.
Education
Kansas City, Kansas has several places for learning. There are colleges and universities such as Kansas City Kansas Community College, University of Kansas Medical Center, and Donnelly College.
The area also has many school districts, including Kansas City USD 500 and Bonner Springs–Edwardsville USD 204. There are also private school options like the Catholic Archdiocese of Kansas City.
For secondary schools, students can attend places like Bishop Ward High School, Piper High School, F.L. Schlagle High School, and Sumner Academy of Arts & Science, among others.
The Kansas City, Kansas Public Library system has five branches where people can borrow books and learn more. It was formed in 1895 and has grown to serve the community ever since.
Transportation
Kansas City, Kansas, has many ways to get around. Rivers were important in the past for trade because of their easy access. Today, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority helps about 60,000 people travel each day. Part of I-70 was one of the first big road projects in the United States under a new law from 1956.
Major highways
Some important roads in the area include:
- I-35 – Goes north to Des Moines, Iowa, and south to Wichita, Kansas.
- I-70 – Heads east to St. Louis, Missouri, and west to Topeka, Kansas, and Denver, Colorado.
- I-435 – A loop around the suburbs in Missouri and Kansas, with a way to reach the Kansas City International Airport.
- I-635 – Links the Kansas suburbs to Kansas City, Kansas, and Riverside, Missouri.
- I-670 – A smaller road that goes around the south side of I-70 and part of the downtown loop.
- US-24 / US-40 – Two highways that go through the city.
- K-5 – A smaller road north of the city, connecting to I-635.
- K-7 – Links several counties together.
- K-32 – Connects more counties.
- US-169 – Also called the 7th Street Trafficway.
- South 18th Street Expressway
- State Avenue and Parallel Parkway
- Kansas Avenue and the Turner Diagonal
Airports
The closest airport is the Kansas City International Airport.
Rail
People can take trains with Amtrak from the nearby Kansas City Union Station on the Southwest Chief and Missouri River Runner routes.
Bus
Local bus service is provided by RideKC. For trips between cities, Greyhound Lines stops at the 47th Street Transit Center.
Culture
Kansas City, Kansas has many special buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. One important place is the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, which covers a large area in eastern Kansas.
Memorial Hall is a big indoor space in downtown Kansas City where people can have concerts or events. There is also a beautiful old Victorian home in the Strawberry Hill area, showing off the Queen Anne style of architecture.
The Rosedale Arch is a smaller copy of France’s famous Arc de Triomphe, made to honor those from Kansas City, Kansas who served in World War I. It sits on Mount Marty in Rosedale.
Wyandotte High School is a public school built in 1936. It was later named a Historical Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Other interesting spots in the area include Fire Station No. 9, Granada Theater, Hanover Heights Neighborhood Historic District, and many more.
Media
Main article: Media in Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Kansas is part of a media area that includes 32 counties in northeastern Kansas and northwestern Missouri. This area has many television and radio stations. KCTV, which shows CBS shows, is licensed to Kansas City, Missouri but works out of Kansas City, Kansas.
Newspapers
The city’s main newspaper, the Kansan, stopped printing papers in 2009 and now exists only online. Other newspapers serve the suburbs and focus on different topics.
Broadcast media
Many major TV networks have stations in the Kansas City area, such as WDAF-TV for Fox, KCTV for CBS, and KMBC-TV for ABC, among others. There are also stations for PBS, The CW, NBC, and MyNetworkTV, as well as other specialty channels.
Sports
Main article: Sports in Kansas City
Sporting Kansas City
Sporting Kansas City is a soccer team that plays in Major League Soccer. It started in 1996 and is now based at Sporting Park in the Village West district. The team was almost going to play in Missouri but ended up staying in Kansas.
Kansas City Current
The Kansas City Current is a women's soccer team that began playing in 2021. They used to play at Legends Field but moved to Children's Mercy Park in 2022. They are planning to build a new stadium in Missouri.
Kansas City Monarchs
The Kansas City Monarchs is a baseball team that moved to Kansas City, Kansas, in 2003. They used to play at Legends Field but had to leave in 2019 because they didn't pay their rent.
Auto racing
The Kansas Speedway is a race track where many car races happen, including some big NASCAR events. It’s a special shaped track that’s 1.5 miles long and held its first race in 2001.
Notable people
Main article: List of people from Kansas City, Kansas
Kansas City, Kansas has been home to many famous people throughout its history. Some of these individuals have made important contributions in areas such as music, sports, and public service. The city continues to be a place where inspiring stories begin.
Images
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