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Kansas City, MO

Frequently asked questions

Kansas City, KS

Kansas City, Missouri (KC or KCMO) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri by population and area. Most of the city lies within Jackson County, with portions spilling into Clay, Platte, and Cass counties. It is the central city of the Kansas City metropolitan area, which straddles the Missouri–Kansas state line and has a population of 2,392,035. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 508,090, making it the 37th most populous city in the United States, as well as the sixth-most populous city in the Midwest. Kansas City was founded in the 1830s as a port on the Missouri River at its confluence with the Kansas River from the west. On June 1, 1850, the town of Kansas was incorporated; shortly after came the establishment of the Kansas Territory. Confusion between the two ensued, and the name Kansas City was assigned to distinguish them soon after.

Sitting on Missouri's western boundary with Kansas, with Downtown near the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers, the city encompasses about 319.03 square miles (826.3 km2), making it the 25th largest city by total area in the United States. It serves as one of the two county seats of Jackson County, along with the major satellite city of Independence. Other major suburbs include the Missouri cities of Blue Springs, Lee's Summit, Raytown, and Liberty; on the Kansas side of the metro area, major suburbs include the cities of Overland Park, Olathe, Lenexa, and Kansas City, Kansas.

The city is composed of several neighborhoods, including the River Market District in the north, the 18th and Vine District in the east, and the Country Club Plaza in the south. Celebrated cultural traditions include Kansas City jazz; theater, as a center of the Vaudevillian Orpheum circuit in the 1920s; the many fountains throughout the city that it was nicknamed the "City of Fountains"; the Chiefs and Royals sports franchises; and cuisine such as Kansas City–style barbecue and strip steak.

The city has an area of 319.03 square miles (826.28 km2), of which, 314.95 square miles (815.72 km2) is land and 4.08 square miles (10.57 km2) is water. Bluffs overlook the rivers and river bottom areas. Kansas City proper is bowl-shaped and is surrounded to the north and south by glacier-carved limestone and bedrock cliffs. Kansas City is at the confluence between the Dakota and Minnesota ice lobes during the maximum late Independence glaciation of the Pleistocene epoch. The Kansas and Missouri rivers cut wide valleys into the terrain when the glaciers melted and drained. A partially filled spillway valley crosses the central city. This valley is an eastward continuation of the Turkey Creek Valley. It is the closest major city to the geographic center of the contiguous United States, or "Lower 48".

The city places a strong emphasis on the health and wellness of its residents. The University of Kansas Health System stands as a pillar of healthcare excellence, offering comprehensive medical services to the community. North Kansas City Hospital located at 2800 Clay Edwards Drive offers comprehensive healthcare services. For those seeking relaxation, Spa On Penn and The Spa at Briarcliff provide top-tier spa treatments. For holistic health, the Integrative Health Center provides comprehensive wellness programs. Additionally, Sojourn Spa offers personalized spa treatments aimed at rejuvenating the body and mind. Other notable mentions include Spalation for innovative spa experiences and Salon Oasis & Day Spa for beauty and relaxation services. 

Top sites in Kansas City, KS include Country Club Plaza, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and the National WWI Museum and Memorial.

Population: 156,752 (2024). ZIP codes: 66101–66113, 66115, 66117–66119, 66160. Area code: 913. Elevation: 768 ft (234 m). Area: 128.30 sq mi (332.31 km2).

FAQs

Is it expensive to live in Kansas City, MO?

The cost of living in Kansas City, MO is 2% higher than the state average and 6% lower than the national average. Kansas City, MO housing is 6% cheaper than the U.S. average, while utilities are about 8% pricier. When it comes to necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 9% less in Kansas City, MO than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 9% less. Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 16% less here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 9% cheaper in Kansas City, MO.

Is Kansas City, MO a good place to live?

With lots of job opportunities, affordable living, and plenty of fun activities, Kansas City is one of the nicest places to live in the U.S. The average annual salary in Kansas City is $55,180. However, with so many positions in tech and healthcare available, there are opportunities to make well over this amount.

How did Kansas City, MO get its name?

A group of 14 investors, including McCoy, formed the Town Company in 1838 to buy up property along the riverfront. This area included Westport Landing and in 1850 was incorporated as the Town of Kansas. City founders derived the name from the Kansas, or Kaw, River which was named for the Kansa Indians. The state of Missouri then incorporated the area as the City of Kansas in 1853 and renamed it Kansas City in 1889. John McCoy’s settlement, the old town of Westport, was annexed by Kansas City, Missouri, on December 2, 1897.

Sources

City of Kansas City

Wikipedia

KC History

Rentcafe

Pods

Country Club Plaza

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

National WWI Museum and Memorial

University of Kansas Health System

North Kansas City Hospital

University of Kansas Health System

North Kansas City Hospital 

Spa On Penn 

The Spa at Briarcliff 

Integrative Health Center

Integrative Health Center

Sojourn Spa 

Spalation

Salon Oasis & Day Spa

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.