SafekipediaKansas City, Missouri
Adapted from Wikipedia · Discoverer experience
Kansas City, Missouri, often called KC or KCMO, is the largest city in the state of Missouri. It sits where the Missouri River meets the Kansas River, covering parts of Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Cass counties. With a population of over 508,000 people as of the 2020 census, it is the 38th-largest city in the United States and the sixth-largest in the Midwest.
The city began in the 1830s as a port and grew quickly. It was originally named Kansas but was renamed Kansas City to avoid confusion with the nearby Kansas Territory. Today, Kansas City covers about 319 square miles, making it the 25th-largest city in the country by area.
Kansas City is known for many cultural treasures. It is famous for its jazz music, beautiful fountains (earning it the nickname "City of Fountains"), and delicious Kansas City–style barbecue. The city is also home to popular sports teams like the Chiefs and Royals, and it has a rich history with theaters from the old Vaudevillian Orpheum circuit. Different neighborhoods, such as the River Market District, 18th and Vine District, and the Country Club Plaza, each add to the city's unique 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 incorporated on June 1, 1850, reincorporated and renamed "City of Kansas" on March 28, 1853, and renamed "Kansas City" in 1889. The area straddles the border between Missouri and Kansas at the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri rivers, and was considered a good place to settle.
The Antioch Christian Church, Dr. James Compton House, and Woodneath are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Exploration and settlement
In past centuries, the area's tribal inhabitants include the Hopewell tradition, Mississippian culture, Kansa, Osage, Otoe, and Missouri. The first documented European visitor to the eventual site of Kansas City was Étienne de Veniard, Sieur de Bourgmont. He lived with a Native American wife in a village about 90 miles (140 km) east near Brunswick, Missouri.
To clear his name, he wrote two books in the early 1700s describing the area. French cartographer Guillaume Delisle used the descriptions to make the area's first reasonably accurate map.
The Spanish took over the region in 1763, but were not to play a major role other than taxing and licensing Missouri River ship traffic. The French continued their fur trade under Spanish license. The Chouteau family operated under Spanish license at St. Louis, and in 1821 the Chouteaus reached Kansas City, where François Chouteau established 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 confluence of the Kansas and Missouri rivers. In 1831, a group of Mormons from New York state led by Joseph Smith settled in the area. They built the first school within what became Kansas City, but were forced out by mob violence in 1833.
In 1831, Gabriel Prudhomme Sr., a Canadian trapper and partner of François Chouteau, purchased 257 acres fronting the Missouri River. He established a home for his wife, Josephine, and six children. He operated a ferry on the river.
In 1833, John McCoy, established West Port along the Santa Fe Trail, three miles south of the river. In 1834, McCoy established Westport Landing on a bend in the Missouri to serve as a landing point for West Port.
In 1850, the landing area was incorporated as the town of Kansas, Missouri. By that time, the towns of Kansas, Westport, and nearby Independence, had become critical points in the westward expansion of the United States. Three major trails – the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon – all passed through Jackson County.
On February 22, 1853, Kansas was reincorporated and renamed the City of Kansas with its first elected mayor, William Samuel Gregory. The city had an area of 0.70 square miles (1.8 km2) and a population of 2,500.
American Civil War
Further information: American Civil War
During the Civil War, the city and its immediate surroundings were the focus of intense military activity. Although the First Battle of Independence in August 1862 resulted in a victory for the Confederate States Army, the Confederates were unable to leverage their win in any significant fashion, as Kansas City was occupied by Union troops. The Second Battle of Independence, which occurred on October 21–22, 1864, as part of Sterling Price's Missouri expedition of 1864, also resulted in a Confederate triumph. Once again their victory proved hollow, as Price was decisively defeated in the pivotal Battle of Westport the next day, effectively ending Confederate efforts to regain Missouri.
General Thomas Ewing, in response to a successful raid on nearby Lawrence, Kansas, led by William Quantrill, issued General Order No. 11, forcing the eviction of residents in four western Missouri counties – including Jackson – except those living in the city and nearby communities and those whose allegiance to the Union was certified by Ewing.
After Civil War
After the Civil War, Kansas City grew rapidly. The selection of the city over Leavenworth, Kansas, for the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad bridge over the Missouri River brought significant growth. The population exploding after 1869, when Hannibal Bridge, designed by Octave Chanute, opened. The boom prompted a name change to Kansas City in 1889, and the city limits to be extended south and east. Westport became part of Kansas City on December 2, 1897. In 1900, Kansas City was the 22nd largest city in the country, with a population of 163,752 residents.
Landscape architect George Kessler shaped Kansas City into a leading example of the City Beautiful movement, with a network of boulevards and parks.
The obsolescence of Union Depot in West Bottoms in favor of the new Union Station in 1914, and the opening of the Liberty Memorial in 1923, provided two of the city's most identifiable landmarks. Robert A. Long, president of the Liberty Memorial Association, was a driving force in the funding for construction. Long was a longtime resident and wealthy businessman.
Further spurring Kansas City's growth was the opening of the innovative Country Club Plaza development by J. C. Nichols in 1925.
20th century streetcar system
The Kansas City streetcar system once had hundreds of miles of streetcars running through the city and was one of the largest systems in the country. In 1903 the 8th Street Tunnel was built as an underground streetcar system through the city. The last run of the streetcar was on June 23, 1957, but the tunnel still exists.
Pendergast era
At the start of the 20th century, political machines gained clout in the city, with the one led by Tom Pendergast dominating the city by 1925. Several important buildings and structures were built during this time, including the Kansas City City Hall and the Jackson County Courthouse. During this time, he aided one of his nephew's friends, Harry S. Truman, in a political career. Truman eventually became a senator, then vice president, then president.
In 1950, African Americans represented 12.2% of Kansas City's population. The city's most populous ethnic group, non-Hispanic whites, declined from 89.5% in 1930 to 54.9% in 2010.
In 1940, the city had about 400,000 residents; by 2000, it had about 440,000. From 1940 to 1960, the city more than doubled its physical size, while increasing its population by only about 75,000. By 1970, the city covered approximately 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 undergone extensive redevelopment, with more than $6 billion in improvements to the downtown area on the Missouri side. One of the main goals is to attract convention and tourist dollars, office workers, and residents to downtown KCMO. Among the projects include the redevelopment of the Power & Light District into a retail and entertainment district; and the Sprint Center, an 18,500-seat arena that opened in 2007, funded by a 2004 ballot initiative involving a tax on car rentals and hotels, designed to meet the stadium specifications for a possible future NBA or NHL franchise, and was renamed T-Mobile Center in 2020; Kemper Arena, which was functionally superseded by Sprint Center, fell into disrepair and was sold to private developers. By 2018, the arena was being converted to a sports complex under the name Hy-Vee Arena. The Kauffman Performing Arts Center opened in 2011 providing a new, modern home to the KC Orchestra and Ballet.
From 2007 to 2017, downtown residential population in Kansas City quadrupled and continues to grow. The area has grown from almost 4,000 residents in the early 2000s to nearly 30,000 as of 2017[update].
The residential population of downtown has boomed, and the office population has dropped significantly from the early 2000s to the mid-2010s.
In 2016, Jackson County, Missouri, acquired unused rail lines as part of a long-term commuter rail plan. For the time being, the line is being converted to a trail while county officials negotiate with railroads for access to tracks in downtown Kansas City.
On November 7, 2017, Kansas City voters overwhelmingly approved a new single terminal at Kansas City International Airport by a 75% to 25% margin. The new single terminal replaced the three existing "Clover Leafs" at KCI Airport on February 28, 2023.
Geography
Kansas City, Missouri, covers an area of 319.03 square miles (826.28 km2), with 314.95 square miles (815.72 km2) of land and 4.08 square miles (10.57 km2) of water. The city is surrounded by limestone and bedrock cliffs, and it sits near the meeting point of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers. It is close to the center of the United States' mainland.
Kansas City has many neighborhoods, some of which used to be 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 a busy place for shoppers and sellers since 1857, and it includes the Arabia Steamboat Museum. Downtown Kansas City has many shops, restaurants, and entertainment places, including the Power & Light District.
Kansas City has hot, humid summers and cold winters. The city can get very hot, sometimes reaching over 100 °F (38 °C), and it can get very cold, sometimes dropping below 0 °F (−18 °C). The city is in an area where strong storms, including tornadoes, can occur, 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
The Latino/Hispanic population of Kansas City, which is mostly Mexican and Central American, is spread throughout the city, with some living in the northeast part and southwest of downtown. The Asian population, mostly from Southeast Asia, lives mainly in the northeast side near Columbus Park, the Greater Downtown area (a historically Italian American neighborhood), near UMKC, and in River Market, northern Kansas City.
The historic city of Kansas City covers about 58 square miles (150 km2) and has about 5,000 people living in each square mile (1,900/km2). Its 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, most of which are still mostly empty.
Between the years 2000 and 2010, the center of Kansas City lost many 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% (280,985) White alone, 26.10% (132,617) Black alone, 0.63% (3,221) Native American alone, 3.14% (15,966) Asian alone, 0.30% (1,501) Pacific Islander alone, 5.52% (28,063) other race alone, and 9.00% (45,737) Multiracial or Mixed Race.
When counting Hispanics separately, the makeup was 52.80% (268,273) White alone (non-Hispanic), 25.78% (130,983) Black alone (non-Hispanic), 0.36% (1,854) Native Americans alone (non-Hispanic), 3.11% (15,793) Asian alone (non-Hispanic), 0.29% (1,456) Pacific Islander alone (non-Hispanic), 0.47% (2,366) other race alone (non-Hispanic), 5.20% (26,396) Multiracial or Mixed Race (non-Hispanic), and 12.00% (60,969) 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 over 146 agencies. The Internal Revenue Service has a big office here that helps process tax papers. The General Services Administration also has many workers in the city, mostly at the Bannister Federal Complex. There are also jobs at places like the Social Security Administration.
The city is home to many companies and organizations. 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 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2024, the top ten principal 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, and 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 the 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 rich 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 heritage 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 and efforts to improve the Jazz District.
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 biggest city government in Missouri. It uses a council/manager system where the mayor leads the Kansas City City Council made up of 12 members. Elections happen every four years, with the most recent one 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. Some well-known ones include the University of Missouri–Kansas City, Rockhurst University, and the Kansas City Art Institute. These schools offer a wide range of programs for students.
The city also has many primary and secondary schools. Because of its history, Kansas City is served by 15 different school districts rather than one large district. 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 famous 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 for different groups of people.
The city has many TV and radio stations. Some famous people got their start 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 rich history of transportation. It started as a key spot for travelers on famous trails like the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California trails. Later, the Hannibal Bridge made it a center for many railroads, with more rail traffic passing through than any other U.S. city. Airlines like Trans World Airlines (TWA) also set up headquarters here, hoping to make it a major air hub.
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, though some worry this leads to spreading out too much.
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 it easy for passengers, but after September 11, 2001 attacks, it needed updates for stricter security. 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.
A 2015 study found Kansas City to be the 42nd most walkable of the 50 largest U.S. cities, with a score of 34 out of 100. Some neighborhoods, like Westport, Downtown Loop, Crossroads, and the Plaza, are much more walkable.
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.
In 2015, about 11.4 percent of households didn’t have a car, which was about the same in 2016. The U.S. average was 8.7 percent. Kansas City had 1.58 cars per household in 2016, less than the national average of 1.8.
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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