Kansas City, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kansas City, Missouri had a total population of 510,612, the 1st largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $69,166, which is 2% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Kansas City is the 1st largest city in Missouri with a population of 510,612.
Kansas City Quick Facts
How Kansas City Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 510,612 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $67,449 | $69,166 | +2.5% |
| Median home value | $227,000 | $242,900 | +7.0% |
How Kansas City Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Kansas City Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Jackson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independence | 121,740 | $60,339 | 15.8% | $172,900 |
| Lee's Summit | 103,656 | $102,531 | 5.7% | $340,900 |
| Blue Springs | 59,965 | $88,920 | 7.0% | $263,100 |
| Raytown | 29,445 | $68,840 | 12.5% | $182,900 |
| Grandview | 26,527 | $53,447 | 17.9% | $188,500 |
| Grain Valley | 16,271 | $89,649 | 9.8% | $283,800 |
| Pleasant Hill | 8,847 | $95,602 | 6.0% | $278,400 |
| Oak Grove | 8,538 | $75,102 | 8.6% | $215,500 |
| Greenwood | 6,013 | $107,250 | 3.2% | $286,100 |
| Sugar Creek | 3,249 | $62,165 | 14.6% | $136,600 |
Cities Similar to Kansas City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 288,512 | $56,160 | $197,500 | 41.1% | 20.6% |
| Springfield | 169,954 | $49,311 | $177,700 | 31.4% | 18.4% |
| Columbia | 128,548 | $66,498 | $284,600 | 56.7% | 19.3% |
| Independence | 121,740 | $60,339 | $172,900 | 21.9% | 15.8% |
| Lee's Summit | 103,656 | $102,531 | $340,900 | 48.8% | 5.7% |
Population Overview
Kansas City is a major urban center located in Missouri, within Jackson County. The total population is 510,612. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kansas City is 35.8 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kansas City is $69,166. This is 2% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 14% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.6%. This is 16% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 8% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $242,900. Housing costs are 5% higher than the state median of $230,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 55.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Kansas City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 25.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (25.2% vs 10.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (12.5% vs 5.2%).
Education
38.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% higher than the state rate of 32.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kansas City, Missouri is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Missouri state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Missouri city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Kansas City, Missouri?
Kansas City, Missouri has a population of 510,612 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kansas City, MO?
The median household income in Kansas City is $69,166, which is 14% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kansas City, MO?
The poverty rate in Kansas City is 14.6%. This means approximately 73,583 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kansas City, Missouri?
Kansas City's population is 54.0% White, 25.2% Black, 12.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kansas City, MO?
The median home value in Kansas City is $242,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Kansas City, Missouri?
38.4% of adults (25+) in Kansas City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.