The 2020 Census results are in, and the growth is real. Kansas City’s population is booming. It now stands at 508,090 residents, up 9.6% from 2010, according to new data.
In other words, that’s an increase of a sold-out Kansas Speedway, or nearly-full crowds at Kauffman Stadium, Children’s Mercy Park + Legends Field combined.
It’s the largest recorded population in Kansas City’s history. Big increases across the metro also prove that the area is rapidly expanding.
Why is this happening now?
Every 10 years, the US Census Bureau collects nationwide population and demographic data, which is used to redraw congressional and state legislative district lines + determine federal spending.
What else did we find?
- The suburbs are growing faster. Platte County saw the greatest population increase in the state, growing by nearly 20%.
- 14%. That’s the rate at which both Clay County and Overland Park grew — OP had the greatest growth of any KC metro city, now totaling 197,238 residents.
- KCK saw a population increase of ~6.9%.
- The Kansas City metro’s population (~2.1 million) is still No. 2 in Missouri to St. Louis (~2.8 million). However, the City of St. Louis shrunk by nearly 18,000, recording 301,000 total residents.
Why does this matter?
Redistricting, or the process of redrawing districts, is completed every 10 years after the US Census is finalized. New voting district boundaries must be balanced by population.
Missouri state redistricting falls into the hands of two equally-split bipartisan legislative committees. Those committees will receive public input before deciding the new districts. A hearing in Kansas City is scheduled for Oct. 19.
Missouri’s population growth of 2.5% is smaller than the national average of 7.4%. However, it’s enough to keep the state’s 8 US congressional seats. Missouri dropped from 9 to 8 after 2010.
In Kansas, increases to Johnson County and Sedgwick County may amount to new state congressional seats relocated from rural districts.
Quiz