KC's Northland Growth Area

The Facts Nearly 20% of the land area of Kansas City, Mo., lies within Platte County. The county is separated from downtown Kansas City by the Missouri, a river that forms the county's western boundary as well. Platte is one of the most prosperous and fastest growing counties in the Kansas City metropolitan area, with more than 75,000 residents in its 421 square miles. Platte's population grew three times as fast as the population of Missouri as a whole during the 1990s.

Opportunity One great indicator of opportunity is that retail sales in the county more than tripled between 1990 and 2000. Helping those sales is the fact that at $52,960, the average household income in Platte County is 54% higher than the average in Missouri. Indeed, of the 120 counties in Missouri, Platte has the second-highest per-capita income. The number of college graduates living in Platte County is 24% higher than the state as a whole. Since every school in the county's four districts is accredited with distinction--the only county in Missouri that can make this claim--that trend should continue. Platte Countians are also keen on Park University, one of the nation's most progressive.

Infrastructure In its 25-city search for a new factory, Harley-Davidson Inc. declared the Platte County location the "best site of all the regions we looked at." The major reason: its proximity to Kansas City International Airport, which is located in the county. Six state highways, three federal highways and three interstates run through Platte County. Interstate 29 traverses the county from north to south, while I-435 and I-635 are links to an interstate network that circles the metro area and connects with I-35 and I-70.

Living The county sits at the crook of the Missouri River and is a wonderland of verdant hills and valleys, much of it still undeveloped. While Platte County's per-capita income is 15% above the national average, the area's cost of living is 4% below the national average. Advantage: residents. Taxes in Platte County are also some of the lowest in the Kansas City metro area.

Ambitions Platte County was recently named the state's number one place to raise children. Platte Countians aim to keep it that way through smart development that is friendly both to the landscape and developers. There is a virtual consensus among county residents that a sense of good will and community spirit runs throughout the county, from the citizens to the education officials to the people in government. A sense of cooperation helps set Platte County apart.