Kansas City Equity Data
The numbers behind the need. Data that drives our work and measures our progress toward equity in housing, health, and economic opportunity.
The Housing Crisis in Numbers
Kansas City's housing crisis disproportionately impacts Black and brown communities—the result of decades of redlining, disinvestment, and exclusionary zoning.
Black Homeownership Rate
Compared to 72% for white households—a 41-point gap
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Cost-Burdened Renters
Pay more than 30% of income on housing
Source: HUD CHAS Data 2023
Eviction Rate Gap
Black renters evicted at 3.2x the rate of white renters
Source: Eviction Lab, Princeton University
Median Home Value Gap
Between majority-white and majority-Black neighborhoods
Source: Zillow Home Value Index 2024
Affordable Unit Deficit
Units needed for extremely low-income households
Source: National Low Income Housing Coalition
Black Mortgage Denial Rate
Higher denial rates persist even at similar income levels
Source: HMDA Data 2023
Where You Live Determines How Long You Live
Health outcomes in Kansas City vary dramatically by zip code—a direct result of housing quality, environmental factors, and access to care.
Life Expectancy Gap
Between highest and lowest zip codes in KC metro
Source: CDC PLACES Data 2023
Asthma Hospitalization Rate
In majority-Black neighborhoods vs. metro average
Source: MO DHSS Hospital Discharge Data
Food Desert Residents
Live more than 1 mile from a grocery store
Source: USDA Food Access Research Atlas
Lack Health Insurance
In target zip codes vs. 8% metro-wide
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Adult Obesity Rate
In food desert neighborhoods
Source: CDC PLACES Data 2023
Mental Health Provider Ratio
In Jackson County vs. 1:350 national standard
Source: HRSA Health Workforce Data
The Wealth Gap is a Wealth Chasm
Economic opportunity in Kansas City remains deeply stratified by race and place—limiting mobility for entire generations.
Median Income Gap
Black vs. white household median income
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Child Poverty Rate
In target zip codes vs. 15% metro-wide
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Wealth Gap Ratio
White to Black median household wealth
Source: Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances
Black Unemployment Rate
Vs. 3.1% for white workers in KC metro
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024
Black Business Ownership
Of KC businesses despite 13% population share
Source: U.S. Census Annual Business Survey
Avg. Credit Score
In target zip codes vs. 720 metro average
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of KC
Focus Zip Codes
Data Methodology & Sources
All data on this page is sourced from publicly available federal, state, and local datasets. We update this dashboard quarterly to reflect the most current available data. Where possible, we use 5-year American Community Survey estimates for statistical reliability.
Primary sources: U.S. Census Bureau, HUD, CDC PLACES, Missouri DHSS, Eviction Lab, USDA, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve
Data Demands Action
These numbers represent real people, real families, real communities. Join us in transforming data into action and action into change.
