Kaw
RANK #276 / 996 NAT · #12 / 22 MO · POP 715,526
1YR FORECAST: +1.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +30%
Jackson County, Missouri, is perhaps best known as the home of Independence, a historically significant city that served as the starting point for the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California Trails. Located in western Missouri on the Kansas border, Jackson County offers a mix of urban and suburban living. Commute times vary, but public transportation options like RideKC buses and specialized transit services are available in many areas, including Kansas City, Independence, and Lee's Summit. The county boasts an extensive park system, with over 21,000 acres, making it the third largest county parks system in the nation, providing abundant outdoor recreation opportunities such as boating, camping, golfing, hiking, and fishing at its three major lakes: Jacomo, Longview, and Blue Springs.
Life in Jackson County draws a diverse population, including families and young professionals. Public schools in the county generally perform above average, with districts like Lee's Summit R-VII and Blue Springs R-IV receiving high ratings. The economy is driven by various sectors, including manufacturing, construction, and real estate. Recent economic developments include investments in infrastructure and new industrial projects, such as those in energy and advanced manufacturing.
Below national median
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.7x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
New Detention Facility
Jackson County, Missouri
|
$260M | Completed |
|
Raider Wind Project (Jackson & Martin Counties)
NextEra Energy
|
$225M | Proposed |
|
Jackson Battery/Storage
Unknown
|
$150M | Planned |
|
Truman Sports Complex Redevelopment
Jackson County, Missouri
|
$50M | Proposed |
|
Woodlawn Estates, Woodhaven Estates, Sunny Pointe Villas, The Woodlands at Chapman Farms, The Communities of Green Hills (Residential Developments)
Ashlar Homes
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 72/100, Jackson County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +1.0%, and median household income stands at $65,169 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in MO.
Housing in Jackson County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $196,900 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.33, with rents averaging $1,096/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Jackson County are both close to flat — population +0.3% YoY and jobs +1.0%. Home values shifted +1.1% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
Not particularly — 1.91% of Jackson County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.