Kansas City Metropolitan Area

Kansas City Metropolitan Area

So, you’re curious about the Kansas City metro area, huh? Well, buckle up, because it’s a sprawling bi-state region with a whole lot going on! We’re talking about a massive area covering 14 counties – nine in Missouri and five in Kansas – spanning over 8,400 square miles and home to more than 2.2 million people. That’s a lot of ground to cover!

Kansas City, Missouri, is the anchor, the historical core, but don’t think it’s the only player in the game. Several suburban cities boast populations over 100,000, including Overland Park, Kansas City (Kansas, that is!), and Olathe, all in Kansas. On the Missouri side, you’ve got Independence and Lee’s Summit making a splash, too.

Rivers and Quadrants: Getting Your Bearings

The mighty Missouri River carves its way through the metro, flowing from west to east. It meets the smaller Kansas River (also known as the Kaw) at Kaw Point, coming in from the southwest. Downtown Kansas City, Missouri, sits just southeast of this meeting point, while North Kansas City, Missouri, is perched to the northeast.

To make things a little easier to visualize, think of the Kansas City metro area as a map divided into four quadrants:

• Southeast: This is where you’ll find Kansas City, Missouri, and its surrounding areas, including the Grandview Triangle.

• Southwest: This quadrant is basically all of Johnson County, Kansas, including the towns known as Shawnee Mission. Interstate 35 cuts diagonally through this area, heading from the southwest towards downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

• Northwest: Here, you’ve got Wyandotte and Leavenworth Counties in Kansas, plus parts of Platte County, Missouri. Wyandotte County is home to Kansas City, Kansas, as well as Bonner Springs and Edwardsville, all under a single unified government. The Missouri River does another bend here, forming the county line between Wyandotte and Platte Counties.

• Northeast: This area is known as the Northland. It includes parts of Clay County, Missouri, plus North Kansas City and Parkville. North Kansas City is nestled in a bend of the Missouri River, which creates a border between Wyandotte County, Kansas, and Clay County, Missouri. The sharpest part of this bend forms a peninsula where you’ll find the Kansas City Downtown Airport.

Kansas City, Missouri: A City of Neighborhoods

Let’s zoom in on Kansas City, Missouri, and explore some of its diverse neighborhoods:

• Downtown: The heart of the city, roughly contained within the "downtown loop" formed by Interstates 670, 70, and 35. It’s where you’ll find corporate offices, entertainment venues, and a skyline filled with tall buildings. This area has been undergoing a major revitalization since 2000, and its population is booming. Within the downtown loop, you’ll find distinct areas like Quality Hill, the Garment District, the Financial District, the Convention Center District, and the Power and Light District. The T-Mobile Center and the College Basketball Experience are both located in the Power & Light District.

• Central Business District: Located inside the downtown loop, this area is home to the Kansas City Convention Center, Municipal Auditorium, City Hall, Lyric Theater, Midland Theatre, Ilus Davis Park, and Barney Allis Plaza.

• South of the Loop: Just south of the downtown loop, you’ll find the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, the Crossroads District, Union Station, Crown Center, the National World War I Museum, Liberty Memorial, Penn Valley Park, University Health Truman Medical Center, and the 18th & Vine District.

• North of the Loop: Head north of the loop to explore the City Market in the River Market and Richard L. Berkeley Riverfront Park.

• West of the Loop: The West Bottoms, located at the bottom of the bluff adjacent to Kaw Point, are home to Hy-Vee Arena and Hale Arena.

Other notable neighborhoods include the River Market, Columbus Park, the Westside, the 18th & Vine District, the North Bottoms, Northeast Kansas City, the Crossroads District, Union Hill, Crown Center, Hospital Hill, Longfellow, Wendell Phillips, and Washington Wheatley.

Beyond Downtown: Exploring the Metro

• The River Market: North of downtown, south of the Missouri River, and west of Highway 9, the River Market is famous for its large farmer’s market.

• The Northland: This area encompasses Clay and Platte Counties in Missouri, north of the Missouri River. It includes the northern half of Kansas City, Missouri (often called "Kansas City, North" to avoid confusion), as well as the cities of Liberty, North Kansas City, and Gladstone.

• North Kansas City: A city completely surrounded by Kansas City, Missouri.

• Waldo: A residential district near 75th Street and Wornall Road.

• Country Club Plaza: An upscale shopping district built in 1923, known for its Spanish architecture and fountains. It was the first suburban shopping district in the United States.

• Country Club District: A group of neighborhoods south of the Country Club Plaza, including Sunset Hill, Brookside, Crestwood, and Mission Hills, Kansas.

• 39th Street: A small section of West 39th Street between State Line Road and the Southwest Trafficway, known as "Restaurant Row" for its many restaurants, bars, and shops.

• Pendleton Heights: A historic neighborhood in the Historic Northeast district, with a high concentration of Victorian homes.

• Library District: A recently defined area around the new Central Library.

• 18th and Vine Historic District: The heart of Kansas City’s black business district, home to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the American Jazz Museum.

• Shawnee Mission: A district encompassing 16 cities and towns in northeast Johnson County, Kansas.

• 135th Street: A shopping area in Overland Park, Kansas, with malls, restaurants, and movie theaters.

• Prariefire: A modern shopping and leisure area in Overland Park, Kansas, featuring fine restaurants, a high-end bowling venue, and the Museum of Prariefire.

• Strawberry Hill: A historical area in Kansas City, Kansas, with a strong Eastern European and Latino heritage.

• Hospital Hill: An area near 23rd Street and Holmes Avenue, home to University Health and Children’s Mercy Hospital.

• Argentine: One of the oldest Mexican/Latino neighborhoods in Kansas City, Kansas.

• Crossroads Arts District: A neighborhood in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, known for its art galleries and First Fridays events.

• Westport: A historic district with the oldest building still standing in the city, known for its entertainment and nightlife.

• Quality Hill: A residential and commercial neighborhood on the west side of downtown Kansas City.

• Washington-Wheatley: A historically Black neighborhood southeast of the 18th and Vine Historical District.

• The Westside: A historically African American and Chicano/Latino neighborhood near Southwest Boulevard and Interstate 35.

• Valentine: A neighborhood north of Westport that includes the historic Uptown Theater.

• Rosedale: The southernmost district of Kansas City, Kansas.

• The West Bottoms: Known for its arts community, antique stores, and First Fridays events.

• Union Hill: A historic neighborhood with dining, shopping, and nightlife destinations.

• Armourdale: A residential and commercial neighborhood in Kansas City, Kansas, with a strong Chicano heritage.

• Sheffield and East Bottoms: Industrial districts.

• Hanover Heights: A small neighborhood in Kansas City, Kansas’ Rosedale section.

• Brookside: A pedestrian-friendly district built in the 1920s.

• Historic Northeast District: A collection of working-class immigrant neighborhoods.

• Grandview Triangle: The intersection of four major highways, known for improvements and upgrades in recent years.

• Midtown/Plaza: A central area with cultural attractions, shopping, entertainment, hospitals, and universities.

• The East Side: Includes eastern Jackson County, Missouri, and the suburbs of Blue Springs, Independence, and Lee’s Summit.

Sports, Culture, and Economy

The Kansas City metro area is a hub for sports, culture, and business:

• Sports: Home to the Kansas City Chiefs (NFL), Kansas City Royals (MLB), and Sporting Kansas City (MLS). The Truman Sports Complex houses Arrowhead Stadium and Kauffman Stadium.

• Culture: Attractions include the American Jazz Museum, Kansas City Symphony, Kansas City Union Station, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and more.

• Economy: Major employers include Cerner Corporation, AT&T, BNSF Railway, GEICO, and many others.

Cost of Living and Demographics

Kansas City boasts a lower cost of living compared to many other major metropolitan areas in the United States, primarily due to its affordable housing.

As of 2022:

• Median age: 38.2 years
• Per capita income: $42,257
• Median household income: $75,280
• Homeownership rate: 54.0%
• Average commute time: 22.9 minutes

The Kansas City metro area is a diverse and dynamic region with a rich history and a promising future. Whether you’re a long-time resident or a curious visitor, there’s always something new to discover in this vibrant corner of the Midwest.

So, there you have it – a quick and casual overview of the Kansas City metropolitan area. Hopefully, this gives you a better sense of what makes this region tick!