Mandy
The long-standing rivalry between Kansas and Missouri within the Kansas City metro area appears to be tilting more noticeably toward the Kansas side. For decades, residents have crossed the state line without a second thought.
But recent developments in sports, retail, and population growth suggest a shifting balance of power that is difficult to ignore.
One Metro, Two States: The Identity Question
Visitors often ask, “Is Kansas City in Missouri or Kansas?”
The straightforward answer is Missouri, since Kansas City, Missouri (KCMO) is significantly larger in land area and population than Kansas City, Kansas (KCK). However, longtime residents typically explain that the metropolitan region stretches across both states, united by culture, commerce, and daily life.
For many locals, crossing the state line is routine. You might shop for groceries in Missouri, attend youth sports practice in Kansas, worship in Missouri, and renew your driver’s license in Kansas — all in the same week. The “Welcome to…” signs barely register.
Yet, despite the seamless lifestyle, the state line still carries economic and political weight.
Sports Realignment: A Major Shift West
One of the most significant indicators of Kansas’ growing prominence is professional sports.
The Kansas City Chiefs have announced plans to leave Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri and relocate to a new domed stadium in Kansas by 2031. This marks a major transition for the region’s most successful and valuable franchise.
This move mirrors an earlier shift. In 2011, Sporting Kansas City relocated west along Interstate 70, establishing a soccer-specific stadium in the Legends complex in Wyandotte County, Kansas.
The future of the Kansas City Royals remains uncertain. While indications suggest a potential Missouri site near Union Station, no final decision has been made. That indecision reflects a period of uncertainty for Missouri’s sports landscape.
If current trajectories continue, there is at least a possibility — even if slim — that all three of Kansas City’s most valuable professional teams could ultimately operate from the Kansas side.
Retail Trends: Missouri’s Plaza Struggles
Missouri’s iconic Country Club Plaza once stood as the metro’s premier shopping and entertainment destination. During the 2000s and 2010s, visitors were routinely guided through its Spanish-style architecture, dining at Plaza III, shopping at Pottery Barn, and enjoying cocktails at Brio.
Today, many of those flagship locations have closed. Vacancy rates at the Plaza surpassed 30% last year, according to regional reporting. Even a proposed relocation of Nordstrom to the Plaza was abandoned in 2022.
Meanwhile, retail momentum has shifted south to Johnson County, Kansas. Shopping centers there continue to attract prominent tenants, including a new LEGO store at Town Center. Though new ownership of the Plaza promises redevelopment, the contrast is clear for now.
Population Growth: Johnson County’s Surge
Beyond sports and retail, long-term demographic data reveals a deeper trend.
The Kansas City metro revolves around four key counties:
- Jackson County, Missouri
- Clay County, Missouri
- Wyandotte County, Kansas
- Johnson County, Kansas
Since 1970, Johnson County’s population has nearly tripled. By contrast, Jackson County has grown just 11% over the same period. The gap is striking.
Recent estimates show Johnson County trailing Jackson County by only about 100,000 residents in 2024, despite covering less geographic area. Growth rates since 2001 indicate that Johnson County has expanded nearly three times faster than Jackson County, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
If this trajectory continues, Kansas could soon account for a larger share of the metro’s population and economic output.
Economic Balance: On the Brink of Flipping
In 2020, the Brookings Institution analyzed multi-state metropolitan areas and found Kansas City to be one of the most evenly split economies in the country:
- Missouri: 51.2%
- Kansas: 48.8%
Only Clarksville, Tennessee, showed a more even division.
However, given Johnson County’s sustained growth, that balance may soon tilt decisively toward Kansas — if it hasn’t already.
The End of the Border War — Or Not?
In 2019, both state governments agreed to halt the practice of offering aggressive tax incentives to lure companies across the state line. This “border war” had long drained public resources without producing meaningful regional growth.
For several years, officials reported that the truce was working.
Yet Kansas’ recent ascendancy raises questions. Strategic tax policies and development incentives continue to influence corporate and civic decisions. While Kansas currently appears to be gaining momentum, there are cautionary lessons.
Excessive tax breaks can strain public services and government budgets. Observers point to political tensions and fiscal gridlock in Jackson County as a reminder of potential consequences.
Missouri’s Enduring Strengths
Despite recent challenges, Missouri retains significant civic advantages.
The metro’s new airport enhances regional connectivity. Major landmarks remain firmly on the Missouri side, including:
- The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
- National WWI Museum and Memorial
- Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
- The T-Mobile Center
- Bartle Hall
- Loose Park
These institutions shape Kansas City’s skyline, culture, and identity. In terms of museums, entertainment districts, and urban landmarks, Missouri still leads.
Unity Over Rivalry
The Kansas City metro thrives when both sides of the state line succeed together. While recent years show a clear tilt toward Kansas in sports relocation, retail expansion, and population growth, the region’s true strength lies in cooperation — not competition.
The joint effort to host major global events, including World Cup matches, proves that collaboration delivers greater returns than cross-border rivalry.
Instead of measuring which side is “winning,” leaders and residents alike may benefit from focusing on regional unity. After all, Kansas City functions best as one interconnected community — two states, one metro.