KC By the Numbers
KC Ratings & Rankings for 2011
UMKC’s Bloch Schools Earns Global No. 1 Rank
The University of Missouri – Kansas City’s Bloch School of Management was named the top school globally for innovation management research. The Journal of Product Innovation Management named the Bloch School above competitors like Harvard University, M.I.T., Stanford University, Michigan State and Texas A&M. The Kansas City Star, December 2011
KCI Airport Makes List For Google’s New Indoor Mapping
KCI Airport makes the list of select locations in the United States and Japan for Google’s “my location” indoor mapping feature in its Google Maps for Android 6.0 application. This mapping feature allows for a user to view detailed floor plans including terminals, restrooms and store locations. USA Today, November 2011
Kansas City Home To Sports-Crazed People
Travel + Leisure ranked Kansas City no.6 on its list of sports-crazed people. Other cities to make the list include: Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, New Orleans and Denver. Travel + Leisure, November 2011
Kansas City Makes “America’s Best Downtowns” List
Forbes ranked Kansas City as one of “America’s Best Downtowns.” Determining factors include attractiveness, accessibility, diversity of shops and restaurants, proximity of parks and cultural opportunities. KC received special attention for its thriving arts scene, with mention of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Forbes.com, October 2011.
Frommer’s Names Kansas City a “Top Destination”
Kansas City made Frommer’s list of “Top Destinations 2012” alongside cites like Beirut, Lebanon, and the Caribbean island of Curacao. Frommer’s focuses on Kansas City’s cultural diversity, with emphasis on the evolving performing arts scene and the wide variety of entertainment. Frommer's, October 2011.
Kansas City Ranked No.1 “Most Affordable Getaway” in America
Travel + Leisure lists Kansas City no.1for affordability and barbeque. The results were based off reader response from visitors and residents. Kansas City also landed in the top 10 for seven other categories: Driving Ability (2), Wireless Coverage (3), Friendly People (6), Sports-Crazed Citizens (6), Microbrew Beer (6), Hamburgers (8) and Museums/Galleries (9). Travel + Leisure, October 2011.
University of Kansas Hospital Ranks No. 2 Among Academic Medical Centers
An exciting ranking for Kansas City, the KU Hospital moved from no. 12 on the list last year to the no. 2 spot this year. The study took into consideration factors such as, patient-care quality, safety, efficiency and patient satisfaction. Kansas City Business Journal, September 2011.
University of Missouri in Top 100 “America’s Best Colleges”
The U.S. News and World Report named the University of Missouri as one of the top 100 best American colleges of 2012. MU ranked 90th out of 1,800 schools surveyed. The University of Kansas made the 101 spot, and Kansas State University ranked 143. Criteria for rankings include freshman retention rates, graduation rates and the number of faculty who are full time. U.S. News and World Report, September 2011.
Wall Street Journal Highlights KC Barbeque Scene
Known for its delicious and diverse barbeque restaurants, Kansas City was featured in a Wall Street Journal review of some of the most popular BBQ spots in town. The article touches on Kansas City’s overall atmosphere and charm, as well. Wall Street Journal, September 2011.
Kansas City Ranks 17th Among Best Cities for Foodies
According to Travel + Leisure, Kansas City is one of the top destinations in the U.S. for foodies. Travel + Leisure emphasized the active barbeque scene, with special shout-outs to Arthur Bryant’s and Fiorella’s Jack’s Stack Barbeque. Many foodies found the selection in KC to be well-priced in comparison to other cities. Kansas City Business Journal, September 2011.
KC Named Innovative Center for Information Technology
The Wall Street Journal featured the Kansas City area as one of seven national "up-and-coming innovative centers," in its small business feature. KC most notably stood out for its significant growth of tech companies, beating well-known tech hubs like Silicon Valley, Boston and Austin, Texas. Wall Street Journal, August 2011.
Kansas City Named One of the Highest Android App Producing U.S. Cities
According to a study released by AppsGeyser, Kansas City is one of the highest ranking U.S. cities for app creators per square mile. AppsGeyser pulled data from a sample of 10,000 apps that were created using appsgeyser.com between June and August, 2011. VentureBeat.com, August 2011
Kansas and Missouri Make the List of the Top 10 Places to do Business
Kansas ranked sixth followed closely by Missouri ranking eighth in the “2011 Top 10 Pro Business Rankings,” according to an annual study by Pollina Corporate Real Estate Inc.
Kansas City Business Journal, August 2011.
Liberty Ranks in no. 7 on “America’s Best Places to Live 2011”
With an abundance of cultural offerings and a quick commute to Kansas City, Liberty, Mo., ranked no. 7 on CNN Money’s list of “America’s Best Places to Live 2011.”
CNN Money, August 2011.
KC Ranks 26 in the Nation for Personal Income
According to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, residents of the Kansas City metro area earned more than $85.2 billion last year, ranking 26th in the nation for total personal income. Kansas City Business Journal, August 2011.
Kansas City Ranks in Top 10 Metros for Job Recovery in Retail Sector
After recording 105,000 retail jobs in June, Kansas City is showing job recovery in the retail sector ranking sixth among the nation’s 100 largest metros according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics. Kansas City Business Journal, August 2011.
Kansas City Ranks in Top 20 for Green Jobs
A recent study released by the Brookings Institution ranked Kansas City no. 17 among U.S. metro areas for its number of green jobs. Kansas City Business Journal, July 2011.
Kansas City amid Four Entrepreneurial Cities to Keep your Eye on
Kansas City has been recognized as one of the “Four Entrepreneurial Cities to Keep Your Eye On” and a force to be reckoned with according to Entrepreneurs Unplugged. Entrepreneurs Unplugged, July 2011.
Kansas City Ranks among the Top 10 ‘Clean-Tech’ Metro Areas
According to a report from researchers Brookings and Battelle, Kansas City ranks no. 6 as a “Top 10 ‘Clean-Tech’ Metros.” USA Today, July 2011
Missouri Hospitals Recognized for Generating Jobs
According to a recent study by the American Hospital Association, Missouri hospitals generate the sixth-highest percentage of jobs of any state. The study measured the economic effect of hospitals on the U.S. economy. Kansas City Business Journal July 2011.
Leavenworth County, Kan. ranks among top five in Midwest compensation
With average compensation topping $70,000 a worker, Leavenworth, Kan., ranked no. 5 in Midwest compensation among 1,055 counties. The report is based on the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis from 2009. Kansas City Business Journal, June 2011.
Six Area High Schools Rank among Nation’s Best
According to Newsweek magazine, five schools from Johnson County and one from Kansas City are among the best in the nation. The criteria used to determine the top 500 schools included graduation rates, college matriculation rates, test scores and the number of advanced placement courses offered. Kansas City Star June 2011.
Kansas and Missouri Rank on CNBC’s “Top States for Business”
CNBC’s fifth annual study of “America’s Top States for Business” measured all 50 states using more than 40 metrics in 10 broad areas of competitiveness. Kansas secured its spot at no. 11 for the second year in a row, while Missouri moved up one spot to no. 16 for the 2011 ranking.
CNBC.com June 2011.
Kansas City Ranks among “Top 10 Cities for College Grads”
Kansas City ranked no. 4 on Livability’s list of “Top 10 Cities for College Grads.” Kansas City was chosen due to the area’s affordability and economic growth while sustaining a highly active nightlife. Kansas City Business Journal June 2011.
Liberty is named one of the “10 Best Towns for Families”
The City of Liberty, Mo., ranks no. 3 in Family Circle’s list of the best towns and cities across the country for families. Liberty stood out for its giving spirit and top-notch schools.
Family Circle 2011.
Manhattan and Columbia are among the “The Best Small Places to do Business”
Manhattan, Kan., ranked no. 1 followed closely by Columbia, Mo., at no. 8 on Forbes latest rankings of “The Best Small Places to do Business” which ranks the top 25 best big cities and the 25 best small places – metropolitan areas with fewer than 250,000 people – in which to do business. Forbes 2011.
MCI Airport Ranks as a Top Pick for Business Travelers
USA Today’s panel of “Road Warriors” selected Kansas City International Airport as the favored airport among midsize markets. MCI was recognized for its ease and efficiency by providing several security checkpoints and baggage systems giving busy travelers the ability to arrive only an hour before their flight. USA Today March 2011
Kansas City Ranks as One of “Best Cities for Moms”
The Daily Beast ranked Kansas City no. 18 on its list of, “Best Cities for Moms.” Several factors including mothers-per-capita, educational quality, and child and maternity care availability were considered. KC stood out for its availability of child care workers and maternity health specialists. The Daily Beast May 2011
Kansas City is a Top Market for IT Talent
KLG Advisors, a site-selection advisory firm, released the “Top Domestic IT Locations for 2011,” citing that IT employers are increasingly looking for talent in metro areas with strong supplies of IT workers, as well as better pay, real estate and operating costs. According to KLG Advisors, Kansas City is among nine metro areas that stand out for its strong supply of IT talent, low competition and favorable employment costs. Kansas City ranked as very strong for concentration of IT talent and growth of IT labor force. Kansas City Business Journal May 2011
Kansas City Ranks among the Top 10 Cities to Find a Job
Monster.com ranked Kansas City no. 10 on its list of “The Top 10 Cities in the U.S. to Find a Job.” Among the top 10 markets, which may include the city plus surrounding areas, Kansas City was singled out for its large demand in creative and marketing industries. Other areas strong for job seekers include IT and health care. The rankings are based on collected data about the number of openings posted online by firms, government agencies, as well as career sites.
MarketWatch.com June 2011
Bloch Building Named one of World’s Most Beautiful Buildings
The Bloch Building expansion at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art was included on Travel & Leisure’s list of the “12 Most Beautiful Buildings in the World.” The Bloch Building stood out for its modern, yet submissive design next to the 1933 Beaux Arts original. Travel & Leisure was particularly drawn to the frosted-glass boxes that “are absolutely magical at dusk when they begin to glow–and filter sunlight into a series of dramatic underground galleries.” This architectural marvel was ranked alongside iconic buildings like The Guggenheim Museum in Spain and the Chrysler Building in New York City. Travel and Leisure February 2011
Kansas City Named a top-10 Moving Destination
U-Haul International Inc. named Kansas City no. 10 on its annual National Migration Trend Report, “The 2010 Top 50 U.S. Destination Cities.” The data from Phoenix-based U-Haul was compiled from more than 1.4 million U-Haul truck transactions last year, all for destinations representing travel of more than 50 miles. Kansas City Business Journal February 2011
Kansas City ranks as one of America's Biggest Brain Magnets
Kansas City ranked no. 5 on alist of “America’s Biggest Brain Magnets.” Originally released by New Geography, the study ranked the 52 largest metropolitan areas by growth in population with college educations between the years 2007 and 2009. The KC region ranked high due to its low cost of living, high personal income growth rates and a healthy real estate market.
Forbes.com, February 2011
Kansas City Named 13th Most Affordable U.S. City
Forbes examined the 50 largest U.S. metros and rated the top 15 affordable metros in terms of salaries for college graduates and housing and living costs. Kansas City earned its spot on the list for its low cost of living and received special recognition for housing affordability. The Kansas City region was in company with other several other Midwestern Cities including Omaha (no.1), Indianapolis (no. 4), Oklahoma City (no. 9) and Tulsa, Okla. (no. 15). Forbes.com January 2011
Kansas City Ranks among Top 10 Hottest Job Markets
Monster.com ranked Kansas City no. 10 on its list of “The Hottest Markets for Job Seekers in 2011.” With highly anticipated retailers such as Trader Joe’s and Nordstrom Rack, the region was singled as one of two hot markets for retail jobs. Other industries strong for job seekers include IT and healthcare. The rankings are also based on the relative abundance of job openings for each city’s local work force, or available jobs per job seeker. Kansas City Business Journal January 2011
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