Inherent Attractiveness of Place:
Strength of the Center
One important component of a region’s inherent attractiveness is the degree to which it has a successful center that is a source of identity and pride for residents of the entire area.
Percentage of Employment Within Given Radius of Downtown
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The percentage of employees who work within a given radius of downtown — in this case, five miles — provides an estimate of the importance of the city center to the rest of the region.
When comparing Kansas City to peer cities with this indicator, keep in mind that Omaha is a much smaller metropolitan area and St. Louis's downtown is located on the edge of an employment-rich area, rather than in the center of it.
Only about 18 percent of our regional employment is within five miles of downtown — an area that includes Crown Center and the County Club Plaza. This indicates that the Kansas City region’s urban center may no longer fulfill the traditional role of economic engine for the entire area.
About 50 percent of the region's employment is now located more than 10 miles away from Downtown Kansas City, a figure surpassed only by St. Louis.
Growing Neighborhoods
In metropolitan areas with strong centers and thriving first suburbs, the urbanized area continues to grow through reinvestment and redevelopment as well as outward expansion. As a result, the vast majority of people live in growing neighborhoods.
Percent of 2000 Urbanized Area Population
Living in Growing Neighborhoods
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Based on 2000 census data, this has not been the case in Kansas City or St. Louis, where only 50 percent and 40 percent, respectively, of people in the urbanized areas live in neighborhoods that are growing. This indicates urbanized areas that are growing primarily through outward expansion.
The percentages in the chart above were derived using maps like the ones below. There appear to be three types of metropolitan areas:
- Those like Denver, which have urbanized areas so strong that there are few areas of decline and no pattern to it. Austin and Salt Lake City are also examples of this type.
- Those like Minneapolis, which has a redeveloping area around its downtown that is showing population growth, surrounded by older suburbs that are still declining, surrounded in turn by growing areas. This pattern is shared by Omaha and Indianapolis.
- Kansas City and St. Louis are examples of metros where the center is still relatively weak. Census data from 2000 shows no discernable pattern of growth in the center, though there are pockets. And there continue to be large areas of decline surrounding the center. More recent data might indicate a shift in growth patterns particularly in the downtown area where loft development has been vigorous, but that information is not yet available.
Population Change, 1990-2000 |
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Denver |
Minneapolis |
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Kansas City |
St. Louis |
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