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Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City iscityJackson County, Missouri. As of2000 census,city hadtotal population441,545. The combined populationboth Kansas Cities (MissouriKansas)588,411. It islargest citysecond largest metropolitan areaMissouri.

Tablecontents
1 History
2 Employers
3 Geography
4 Metropolitan Area
5 Demographics
6 ParkwaysParks
7 Attractions
8 Airports
9 Sports
10 People from or who have lived incity

History

The settlement began life1834 asdock onMissouri Riverland suppliesWestport, initially called Westport Landing. The land surroundingdock was bought byrecently formed Town Company1838. The area was renamedTownKansas (afterlocal Kanza Indians)1839 andtown was incorporated bystateMissouri asCityKansas on March 28, 1853. Atfirst municipal election1853 there were sixty-seven voters frompopulation2,500. In 1889, withpopulationaround 60,000,city adoptednew charterchanged its nameKansas City.

DuringAmerican Civil War there were many skirmishes between pro-anti-slavery groups andBattleWestport October 21-23, 1864, whereUnion army routedConfederates.

The City was connected totelegraph system1858, torailway1864 (withbridge crossingriver1869) andfirst aircraft landed atMunicipal Airport1927.

The city's industry was cattle, from1860shad one oflargest cattle marketsAmerica. The industry peaked inearly 20th century. The city hasFederal Reserve Bank, as does St. Louis.

By 1915city had grown250,000 people but from then until 1940city was effectively run by one man, "Boss" Tom Pendergast,"Crimevice... became rampant". Onother hand,city also becamecenternight life where innovative jazzblues flourished.

Harry S Truman, former U.S. president, was county judgeJackson County, Missouri, underPendergast regime,was initially regardedhis early career ascorrupt politician becausethis. However, most people cameregard him as havinggreat dealintegrity becausehis subsequent actionsvarious political offices.

SincePendergast era,city has continuedgrow, although mainly by annexation rather than natural growth;retains some heavy industry andsignificant airport.

Employers

Kansas City's largest employersHallmark CardsFord Motor Company. Kansas City also haslarge pharmaceutical industry,companies such as BayerAventis Pharmaceuticals having large presences there.

In additionHallmark,following major companiesheadquarteredKansas City:

One recent employeralsotourist attraction: Harley-Davidson builtfactoryKansas City1998.

Geography

According toUnited States Census Bureau,city hastotal area823.7 km² (318.0 mi²). 812.1 km² (313.5 mi²)itland11.6 km² (4.5 mi²)itwater. The total area1.41% water.

Metropolitan Area

Kansas City iscenter ofmetropolitan area spanning two states andfollowing counties:

Demographics

As ofcensus2000, there441,545 people, 183,981 households,107,444 families residing incity. The population density543.7/km² (1,408.2/mi²). There202,334 housing units at an average density249.2/km² (645.3/mi²). The racial makeup ofcity60.68% White, 31.23% African American, 0.48% Native American, 1.85% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 3.21% from other races,2.44% from two or more races. 6.93% ofpopulationHispanic or Latinoany race.

There183,981 households outwhich 28.1% have children underage18 livingthem, 38.0%married couples living together, 16.0% havefemale householderno husband present,41.6%non-families. 34.1%all householdsmade upindividuals9.4% have someone living alone who65 yearsage or older. The average household size2.35 andaverage family size3.06.

Incitypopulationspread out25.4% underage18, 9.7% from 1824, 32.5% from 2544, 20.6% from 4564,11.7% who65 yearsage or older. The median age34 years. For every 100 females there93.3 males. For every 100 females age 18over, there89.9 males.

The median income forhousehold incity$37,198, andmedian income forfamily$46,012. Males havemedian income$35,132 versus $27,548females. The per capita income forcity$20,753. 14.3% ofpopulation11.1%familiesbelowpoverty line. Out oftotal people livingpoverty, 20.2%underage1810.5%65 or older.

ParkwaysParks

Kansas Citywell-knownits spacious parkwaysmany parks. The parkway system winds its way throughcitybroad, landscaped medians that include statuaryfountains. One ofbest examplesWard Parkway onwest side ofcity, nearKansas state line.

Swope Parkone ofnation's largest in-city parks, comprising over one thousand acres,includingfull-fledged zoo, two golf courses,lake, an amphitheater, day-camp area,numerous picnic grounds.

Kansas City has always had one ofnation's best urban forestry programs. At one time, almost all residential streets were planted withsolid canopyAmerican elm, sodestruction caused by Dutch elm disease was devastating,almost all elms dying. Since then, almost all streets have been replanted withvarietyother shade trees.

Attractions

Airports

Sports

People from or who have lived incity

See also: Kansas City, Kansas

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