In October 1872, "old" Kansas City, Kansas, was incorporated. The first city election was held on October 22 of that year by order of Judge Hiram Stevens of the Tenth Judicial District and resulted in the election of Mayor James Boyle. The mayors of the city after its organization were James Boyle, C. A. Eidemiller, A. S. Orbison, Eli Teed, and Samuel McConnell. In June 1880, theGovernor of Kansas,John St. John, proclaimed the city of Kansas City a city of the second class with Mayor McConnell present.
In March 1886, "new" Kansas City, Kansas, was formed through the consolidation of five municipalities: "old" Kansas City, Armstrong,Armourdale, Riverview, and Wyandotte. The oldest city of the group was Wyandotte, which was formed in 1857 byWyandotNative Americans and Methodist missionaries.[10]: 370, 384, 388
In the 1890s, the city saw an explosive growth in population as astreetcar suburb of Kansas City, Missouri. This growth continued until the 1930s. It was one of the nation's 100 largest cities for manyU.S. Census counts, from 1890 to 1960, including 1920, when it had a population of over 100,000 residents for the first time.[11]
As with adjacent Kansas City, Missouri, the percentage of the city's most populous ethnic group,non-Hispanic whites, has declined from 76.3% in 1970 to 40.2% in 2010.[12][13] In 1997, voters approved a proposition to unify the city and county governments, creating the Unified Government of Wyandotte County.[14]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 128.38 square miles (332.50 km2), of which, 124.81 square miles (323.26 km2) is land and 3.57 square miles (9.25 km2) is water.[15]
Kansas City Municipal Office Building (City Hall) at 701 North 7th Street (2018)
Maywood – until the late 1990s, Maywood was a quiet, isolated residential area; it is now part of the "Village West" project that includes the Legends shopping and entertainment district, theChildren's Mercy Park soccer stadium, Monarchs' Community America baseball park, theKansas Speedway racetrack andHollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway
Kansas City lies in theMidwestern United States, as well as near the geographic center of the country, at the confluence of the longest river in the country, theMissouri River, and theKansas River (also known as the Kaw River). The city lies in thehumid continental climate (KöppenDfa) zone, with four distinct seasons and moderate precipitation, and is part of USDA planthardiness zone 6.[16] Being located in the center ofNorth America, far removed from a significant body of water, there is significant potential for extremes of hot and cold swings in temperature throughout the year. Unless otherwise stated, normal figures below are based on data from 1981 to 2010 at Downtown Airport. The warmest month of the year is July, with a 24-hour average temperature of 81.0 °F (27.2 °C). The summer months are hot but can get very hot and moderately humid, with moist air riding up from theGulf of Mexico. High temperatures surpass 100 °F (38 °C) on 5.6 days of the year and 90 °F (32 °C) on 47 days.[17][18] The coldest month of the year is January, with an average temperature of 31.0 °F (−0.6 °C). Winters are cold, with 22 days where the high is at or below the freezing mark and 2.5 nights with a low at or below 0 °F (−18 °C).[17] The official record maximum temperature is 113 °F (45 °C), set on August 14, 1936, at Downtown Airport, while the official record minimum temperature is −23 °F (−31 °C), set on December 22 and 23, 1989.[17] Normal seasonal snowfall is 13.4 inches (34 cm) at Downtown Airport and 18.8 in (48 cm) at Kansas City International Airport. The average window for freezing temperatures is October 31 to April 4, while for measurable (0.1 in or 0.25 cm) snowfall, it is November 27 to March 16 as measured at Kansas City International Airport. Precipitation, both in frequency and total accumulation, shows a marked uptick in late spring and summer.
Kansas City, Kansas – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
The2020 United States census counted 156,607 people, 57,079 households, and 36,392 families in Kansas City.[32][33] The population density was 1,255.5 per square mile (484.7/km2). There were 63,446 housing units at an average density of 508.6 per square mile (196.4/km2).[33][34]
The U.S. Census accounts for race by two methodologies. "Race alone" and "Race alone less Hispanics" where Hispanics are delineated separately as if a separate race.
Of the 57,079 households, 34.9% had children under the age of 18; 38.2% were married couples living together; 30.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 29.2% of households consisted of individuals, and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[33] The average household size was 2.7, and the average family size was 3.5.[35] The percent of those with a bachelor's degree or higher was estimated to be 12.0% of the population.[36]
27.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.9 males.[33] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 101.8 males.[33]
The 2016–2020 5-yearAmerican Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $46,424 (with a margin of error of ±$1,298) and the median family income was $54,955 (±$2,431).[37] Males had a median income of $32,908 (±$1,298) versus $26,001 (±$789) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $29,809 (±$1,006).[38] Approximately, 15.5% of families and 19.2% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 27.6% of those under the age of 18 and 9.6% of those ages 65 or over.[39][40]
According to the 2010 census, there were 145,786 people, 53,925 households, and 35,112 families residing in the city.[41]Thepopulation density was 1,168.1 inhabitants per square mile (451.0/km2). There were 61,969 housing units at an average density of 496.5 per square mile (191.7/km2).[42] The median age in the city was 32.5 years. 28.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.7% were from 25 to 44; 23.7% were from 45 to 64; and 10.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.4% male and 50.6% female.
There were 53,925 households, of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.1% weremarried couples living together, 18.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.9% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.32.
The racial composition of Kansas City, Kansas, as of 2010, was as follows:
As of the2000 census, the median household income in the city was $33,011, and the median income for a family was $39,491. Males had a median income of $30,992 versus $24,543 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $15,737. About 13.0% of families and 17.1% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 23.8% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.
Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that employment in Wyandotte County, Kansas, increased 4% from March 2011 to March 2012. The sharp rise in the number of workers resulted in Wyandotte County ranking 19th in the nation and 1st in the Kansas City metropolitan area for job growth as of September 28, 2012.[43]
On March 30, 2011,Google announced that Kansas City had been selected as the site of anexperimental fiber-optic network that it would build at no cost to the city. Kansas City was chosen from a field of 1,100 U.S. communities that had applied for the network. The network became operational in 2012.[46]Piper, Kansas, became the first full community in the nation (based on actual residential votes and pre-registration counts) to have residential broadband internet network infrastructures using fiber-optic communication of 1 Gbit/s download and upload speeds provided byGoogle Fiber.[47]
Kansas City, Kansas, has aconsolidated city-county government in which the city and county have been merged into one jurisdiction. As such, it is simultaneously a city, which is a municipal corporation, and a county, which is an administrative division of a state. The Kansas Legislature passed enabling legislation in 1997, and voters approved the consolidation proposal the same year.
The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department was founded in 1898. By 1918, the department had begun taking photographs and fingerprints of all the people its officers had arrested.
The Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department was founded on December 25, 1883. The fire department is part of the Firefighter's Relief Association and the International Association of Fire Fighters. IAFF Local 64 is a charter member and was organized on February 28, 1918. The department has 18 fire stations in the city and covers an area of approximately 127 square miles. The department also has specialty teams, including heavy rescue, hazardous materials, foam team, water rescue, tactical medic, trench rescue, high angle/rope rescue, and technical urban search and rescue. The fire department has four public service programs: a citizens assist program, fire prevention, safe place, and a smoke detector program.
Of the statistics available in 2000 based on data collected by theFederal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as part of its Uniform Crime Reporting Program, which represent from arrests made by State and local law enforcement agencies as reported to the FBI, there were a total of 696 incidents.[51]
Retired KCK police detective Roger Golubski had been accused ofsexual assault, protecting organized crime, and obtaining convictions on falsified evidence and coerced perjury.
Lamonte McIntire was exonerated and released in October 2017 after 23 years in prison for a double murder.[52] His mother claimed Golubski tried to force her into a sexual relationship. When she refused, Golubski framed her son. Detectives working the case refused to collect basic evidence. Former KCK Police Chief Terry Ziegler and other supervisors knew about this.[53]
On September 15, 2022, Golubski was indicted by a federal grand jury inTopeka, Kansas,[54] and arrested on six counts of sexual assault under color of law.[55] Another three-count federal indictment was unsealed November 14, almost two months later: Golubski and three other men—Cecil Brooks, LeMark Roberson, and Richard Robinson—were charged with conspiring, decades ago, to keep young women as sex slaves.[56] At the time of this indictment, Brooks was in a federal prison in Fort Worth, Texas; the locations of the others were unavailable.[57]
Golubski did not face trial for the federal case regarding the alleged abuse and assault of women. He failed to show up to the beginning of his trial on December 2, 2024, and was found dead at his home, the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.[58]
TheKansas City, Kansas Public Library system has five branch libraries spread throughout Wyandotte County: the Main Library, South Branch Library, Turner Community Library, West Wyandotte Library, and the Mr. & Mrs. F.L. Schlagle Environmental Library in Wyandotte County Lake Park. The system was formed in 1895. In 1899, it came under the authority of the Kansas City, Kansas Public School District Board of Education.[63]
River transportation was important to early Kansas City, Kansas, as its location at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers afforded easy access to trade.Kansas City Area Transportation Authority provides transportation for 60k riders daily. A portion of I-70 was the first project in the United States completed under the provisions of the new Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 (though not the first constructed or to begin construction).
Interstate 70 as it enters Kansas, crossing theKansas River (2010)City limits of Kansas City, Kansas
I-635 – Connects the Kansas suburbs with Kansas City, Kansas, and Riverside, Missouri, just north of Kansas City, Missouri
I-670 – A southern bypass of I-70 and Southern portion of the downtown loop. Signed as East I-70 when exiting from I-35 while traveling north
US-24 /US-40 – Combination of theUS-24 andUS-40 highways that pass through Kansas City
K-5 – A minor freeway bypassing the north of Kansas City, Kansas, connecting theGM Fairfax plant with I-635. K-5 continues as Leavenworth Road west to I-435 then on toLeavenworth, Kansas
Memorial Hall is a 3,500-seat indoor arena/auditorium located in the city's downtown. The venue, which has a permanent stage, is used for public assemblies, concerts, and sporting events. In 1887, John G. Braecklein constructed aVictorian home for John and Margaret Scroggs in the area ofStrawberry Hill. It is a fine example of theQueen Anne stylearchitecture erected in Kansas City, Kansas.
TheRosedale Arch, dedicated to the men of Kansas City, Kansas, who served in World War I, is a small-scale replica of France's famousArc de Triomphe. It is located on Mount Marty in Rosedale, overlooking the intersection ofRainbow and Southwest Boulevards.
Wyandotte High School is a public school building located at 2501 Minnesota Avenue. Built in 1936 as aWorks Progress Administration project, the school was later designated as a Historical Landmark by the city in 1985 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 30, 1986. In 1889, the Wyandotte County Museum and Historical Society was established as a permanent repository of the county's history.[64] TheArgentine Carnegie Library, the onlyCarnegie library that exists in the metropolitan area, was built in 1917.[65] The library has moved the collections and staff from Argentine to the new South Branch, at 3104 Strong Ave., a few blocks to the west and north, which opened September 26, 2012. The library has turned over the building to the Kansas City, Kansas, US$500.[66]
Kansas City, Kansas, is part of a bi-state media market that comprises 32 counties in northeastern Kansas and northwestern Missouri. The Kansas City media market (ranked 32nd byArbitron[84] and 31st byNielsen[85]) includes 10 television stations and 30 FM and 21 AM radio stations. Due to its close proximity to theTopeka media market, most of the television and radio stations from that city are receivableover-the-air in portions of the Kansas City, Kansas, area.KCTV, the market'sCBS affiliate, is licensed to Kansas City, Missouri, but operates out of Kansas City, Kansas.
Kansas City, Kansas, is served by theKansan, a daily newspaper which ceased its print publication and became an online-only paper in 2009. Newspapers serving the city's suburbs includeThe Record (serving Turner, Argentine, and Rosedale),Piper Press (serving Piper), andThe Wyandotte West (weekly publication for western Wyandotte County).
Weekly newspapers include alternative publicationThe Pitch, faith-oriented newspaperThe Kansas City Metro Voice,The Wyandotte Echo (which focuses on legal news),The Call (which is focused on the African-American community),[86] business newspaperKansas City Business Journal, and the bilingual publicationDos Mundos.
TheMajor League Soccer franchiseSporting Kansas City (which was originally known as theKansas City Wiz for its inaugural year in 1996 and theKansas City Wizards from 1997 to 2010) currently plays its home games atChildren's Mercy Park in the Village West district. The team originally planned to move toTrails Stadium, a planned stadium facility in Kansas City, Missouri, in 2011, but the project was scuttled in 2009. The developer of the planned venue moved the project to the Village West area, near Legends Field, and received the needed approvals in January 2010.
TheKansas City Monarchs is anindependent baseball team in theAmerican Association, which moved to Kansas City, Kansas, in 2003 and, through 2019, played its home games at Legends Field, located adjacent to the Village West development in western Wyandotte County. The team was previously a member of theNorthern League (which was not affiliated withMajor League Baseball), until it dissolved following the 2010 season. While the remaining Northern League teams became members of theNorth American League as part of the Northern League's merger with theGolden Baseball League andUnited Baseball League, the T-Bones joined many other former Northern League teams in the relatively new American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. The T-Bones won the Northern League Championship in 2008 and the American Association Championship in 2018. The Unified Government evicted it from its stadium on October 14, 2019, for nonpayment of rent and utilities.[91]
TheKansas Speedway is an auto racetrack adjacent to the Village West area in western Wyandotte County. The speedway, which is used for races that are part of theNASCAR Cup Series and other racing series, is a 1.5 miles (2.4 km)tri-oval with turns which bank at a 15° angle. The track held its first race on June 2, 2001, when theWinston West Series contested the Kansas 100. The top-level NASCAR Cup Series holds the annualHollywood Casino 400 at the track. TheIndyCar Series previously ran theRoadRunner Turbo Indy 300 from 2001 to 2010, with IndyCar driverScott Dixon setting the overall lap record for all series.
^abMean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.
^Official records for Kansas City kept at downtown/Weather Bureau Office from July 1888 to December 1933; Downtown Airport from January 1934 to September 1972; and Kansas City Int'l since October 1972. For more information seeThreadEx.
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