Population 155,122 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Kansas City
Household size in Kansas City
| Period | Kansas City | Kansas City area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.75 | 2.57 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.78 | 2.60 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.76 | 2.59 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.84 | 2.55 | 2.53 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.09 | −0.02 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Kansas City average 2.84 people, above the national 2.65, so families with children are more common here. Household size has climbed from 2.75 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the center and smallest in the southeast.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Kansas City
| Period | Kansas City | Kansas City area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.5 | 37.5 | 37.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 34.6 | 37.9 | 37.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 34.9 | 38.8 | 38.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 35.2 | 39.2 | 38.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.7 | +1.7 | +1.4 | +2.3 |
Kansas City is young: half of its residents are under 35.2, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young families with children. Since 2006–10, the median age has crept up from 34.5, a smaller shift than nationally.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Kansas City
| Period | Kansas City | Kansas City area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.5% | 11.7% | 10.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 19.0% | 11.9% | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 15.9% | 11.2% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 17.0% | 10.9% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.5 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in six households in Kansas City (17.0%), well above the national share of 11.6%. Only four of the 71 Kansas cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Kansas City
Renters in Kansas City
| Period | Kansas City | Kansas City area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.4% | 31.2% | 30.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 41.5% | 33.7% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 43.7% | 34.9% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 39.1% | 34.2% | 32.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.7 pts | +3.0 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
About four in ten households in Kansas City rent their homes (39.1%), a bit above the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 48.5% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the southeast and least common in the southwest. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 1.7 points, mirroring the country.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Kansas City
| Period | Kansas City | Kansas City area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.3% | 10.0% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.6% | 9.7% | 10.4% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 12.1% | 9.0% | 11.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 11.1% | 7.5% | 9.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −4.2 pts | −2.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Kansas City is close to the national rate: 11.1% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. The rate is higher than in the Kansas City area overall (7.5%). Vacancy is down 4.2 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Kansas City
| Period | Kansas City | Kansas City area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1961 | 1976 | 1971 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1961 | 1977 | 1972 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1962 | 1977 | 1973 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1962 | 1980 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +1 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
Kansas City is a place of older homes: half were built before 1962, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the center has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Kansas City
| Period | Kansas City | Kansas City area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $761 | $897 | $769 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $862 | $980 | $858 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $951 | $1,095 | $950 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,252 | $1,395 | $1,159 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$491 | +$498 | +$390 | +$606 |
The median renter in Kansas City pays $1,252 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $491 a month from 2006–10, a 64% jump, roughly in step with the nation. The typical renter here spends 30.6% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the northwest and lowest in the east.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Kansas City
Bachelor's degrees in Kansas City
| Period | Kansas City | Kansas City area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.9% | 33.5% | 30.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.3% | 34.1% | 31.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.7% | 37.1% | 33.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 20.9% | 39.7% | 35.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.0 pts | +6.2 pts | +4.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Kansas City: 20.9% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 6.0 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Kansas City has a lower share of college graduates than the great majority of Kansas cities.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Kansas City
| Period | Kansas City | Kansas City area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 78.1% | 90.5% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 77.3% | 90.9% | 90.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 77.7% | 91.8% | 90.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 80.6% | 92.9% | 91.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.5 pts | +2.4 pts | +2.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in five adults in Kansas City never finished high school, well above the national share: only 80.6% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 2.5 points, in line with the national trend. Of the 71 Kansas cities with 5,000+ people, only four have a lower share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Kansas City
| Period | Kansas City | Kansas City area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.0% | 6.8% | 6.1% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 13.3% | 7.6% | 6.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.0% | 4.0% | 4.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.8% | 4.0% | 4.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −7.2 pts | −2.9 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Kansas City is close to the national rate: 5.8% of the labor force, against 5.4%. The rate is higher than in the wider Kansas City area (4.0%). Unemployment has fallen 7.2 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Kansas City compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | 2.84 | 35.2 | 17.0% | 39.1% | 11.1% | 1962 | $1,252 | 20.9% | 80.6% | 5.8% |
| Roeland Park | 2.04 | 37.4 | 6.8% | 29.2% | 4.5% | 1951 | $1,800 | 59.4% | 95.7% | 3.1% |
| Mission | 2.06 | 37.7 | 9.2% | 52.4% | 6.1% | 1967 | $1,427 | 52.1% | 96.0% | 2.9% |
| Merriam | 2.19 | 41.3 | 5.7% | 41.0% | 4.9% | 1972 | $1,229 | 44.1% | 95.6% | 4.8% |
| Lake Quivira | 2.76 | 51.0 | 3.8% | 2.0% | 4.0% | 1989 | $1,373 | 72.5% | 98.2% | 3.4% |
| Parkville | 2.75 | 41.0 | 5.4% | 16.3% | 8.9% | 1991 | $1,371 | 67.9% | 96.2% | 2.4% |
| Riverside | 2.62 | 33.0 | 15.9% | 50.6% | 4.8% | 1981 | $1,170 | 34.9% | 93.6% | 5.5% |
| Westwood | 2.25 | 37.9 | 5.7% | 19.2% | 4.0% | 1948 | $1,694 | 75.9% | 98.8% | 3.1% |
| Fairway | 2.48 | 39.3 | 2.6% | 9.5% | 5.2% | 1950 | $1,849 | 84.1% | 99.9% | 1.8% |
| Houston Lake | 2.41 | 39.6 | 2.4% | 2.7% | 1.2% | 2003 | $1,591 | 50.6% | 98.9% | 0.3% |
| Edwardsville | 2.73 | 38.8 | 11.2% | 25.7% | 10.4% | 1986 | $1,024 | 20.7% | 89.5% | 8.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Olympia, WA · Odessa, TX · Orem, UT · Norwalk, CT · Norwalk, CA · Olathe, KS · Orlando, FL · Omaha, NE · Ocala, FL · North Las Vegas, NV
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Kansas City. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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