According to the 2008 census many are moving to the suburbs and away from Kansas City’s downtown areas.  The population of Kansas City, MO.  gained approximately 2% since 2000 whereas Spring Hill, KS.  was up 92%,  Gardner, KS. was up 86%, Olathe, KS. was up 29%, Desoto, KS. was up 19%, Lenexa, KS. was up 16% and Overland Park, KS. was up 15%. 

What does all of this mean?   My guess is the prospect of a light rail system in the near term is comatose if not dead.  As much as the Sprint Center and the Power and Light district have created a reason to go downtown, apparently it is not enough to motivate people to m0ve there. 

According to a Kansas City Star article ”…employment in Johnson County exploded 70.7% from 1990 to 2008 compared to Jackson Counties’ scant growth of 2.3% job growth.   In the Star article Doug Davidson, president of CERI, said  “Johnson County is a desirable place to live and raise a family.”   “It has great school systems. Its adult population is one of the most highly educated in the nation.  Employers that want highly educated workers are attracted to Johnson County.”