1. 2010 Downtown Kansas City
Resident Survey Results
Downtown Council of Kansas City
911 Main Street, Suite 110
Kansas City, Missouri 64105
816-421-1539 | www.downtownkc.org

2. Table of Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 3
About Us ................................................................................................................................................. 3
Survey Trends and Highlights ................................................................................................................. 4
Survey Results ........................................................................................................................................ 8
Resident Profile ................................................................................................................................... 8
Perceptions About Downtown Kansas City ....................................................................................... 14
Services, Amenities, Entertainment and Nightlife............................................................................. 15
Appendix A: Distribution ...................................................................................................................... 16
The Downtown Council of Kansas City would like to thank the downtown residents for their
cooperation in the survey.
Copies of the 2010 Downtown KC Resident Survey are available on line in a downloadable PDF
format at www.downtownkc.org. For additional information about this survey or for more detailed
information on development in downtown Kansas City, please contact us at:
Downtown Council of Kansas City
911 Main Street, Suite 100
Kansas City, Missouri 64105
Phone: (816) 421-1539
Email: ann@downtownkc.org
Downtown Council of Kansas City Page 2

3. Introduction
The Downtown Resident Survey is a project of the Downtown Council of Kansas City, Missouri (DTC).
The survey is part of an ongoing commitment to track market data that both reflects and supports
economic, business and residential development throughout Downtown Kansas City.
The survey measures perceptions and use of downtown as well as demographics of Downtown
residents. Downtown is defined as the urban center of Kansas City located south of the Missouri River,
east of the Kansas/Missouri State Line, north of 31st Street and generally west of Woodland.
The survey was conducted throughout March 2010. Surveys were distributed electronically and on
paper to residential properties within the target area. A distribution list is included as Appendix A.
Participation was promoted to both property management and residents through email, websites and
via an on-line survey.
A total of 892 residents completed the survey, representing a 5% sample of the 17,000 residents
living within the survey area. Participation in the survey was self-selected and did not use scientific
sampling methodology. However, the large number of participants and sampling across all
residential properties yielded results with a 4.5% margin of error.
The Downtown Council previously conducted surveys of Downtown residents in 1998, 2002 and
2004.
About Us
The Downtown Council (DTC) is committed to creating a vibrant, diverse and economically
sustainable Downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Downtown is the arts and cultural center of our
metropolitan area, a model of sustainable development, a residential neighborhood, an energetic
workplace and a setting for entrepreneurial creativity. As a private nonprofit membership
organization, DTC has more than 280 members representing Kansas City’s best businesses, property
owners, small entrepreneurial companies and nonprofit organizations.
The DTC also manages multiple organizations, such as the Downtown and River Market Community
Improvement Districts, with goals that support the DTC’s overarching mission to create an
economically vibrant Downtown.
The Downtown Community Improvement District (DCID) was established to make Downtown
cleaner, safer and more attractive. The goal is to create an inviting environment for all who reside,
work and visit Downtown through its Public Safety Ambassadors, who provide assist police and are
goodwill ambassadors, and its Public Maintenance Ambassadors, who keep public areas clean, sweep
away trash and litter, remove graffiti and help resolve outstanding maintenance issues.
The River Market CID provides the same high quality services as the DCID with the addition of
marketing and public relations services.
Downtown Council of Kansas City Page 3

4. Survey Trends and Highlights
In its 2010 Downtown Resident Survey the Downtown Council received a record number of
responses, 892 people completed the on-line survey.
Figure 1: Responses to Downtown Resident Surveys
1000
892
900
800
700
600
500 429
380 351
400
300
200
100
0
1998 2002 2004 2010
Throughout the 4 surveys, over a period of 12 years, the percentage of respondents that are
employed remained relatively the same. In 1998, 91% of the respondents were employed in 2002 and
2010, 89% of respondents were employed.
In 2010, 42% of survey respondents report owning their residence. This is a substantial increase from
previous surveys. (Note: The 2002 survey was only distributed to renters.)
Figure 2:
Percent of Respondents Who Own Their Residence
45% 42%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20% 17%
15% 11%
10%
5%
0%
1998 2004 2010
Downtown Council of Kansas City Page 4

5. An increase in household income is also visible in the responses in more recent years. In 2010, 70% of
respondents have a household income of $50,000 or more, compared to 46% and 47% in 1998 and
2004.
Figure 3: % of Respondents with Household Income of
$50,000 or more
80%
70%
70%
60%
46% 47%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
1998 2004 2010
Another increase can be seen in the average monthly rent or mortgage payment of respondents
between surveys. In 2010, 54% of respondents had a monthly rent or mortgage payment or more than
$1,000 compared to 8% in 1998 and 23% in 2004.
Figure 4: Average Monthly Rent or Mortgage Payment
of more than $1,000
60% 54%
50%
40%
30%
23%
20%
8%
10%
0%
1998 2004 2010
There was also an increase in respondents living with more than one adult in the household between
the surveys. In 2010, 55% of respondents report living with another adult. Similarly, 33% of
respondents in 2010 report being married or living with their partner, compared to 22% in 1998 and
17% in 2004. Ten percent of respondents also have children under 18 living in the household
compared to 4.5% in 1998, 2% in 2002 and 5% in 2004.
Downtown Council of Kansas City Page 5

6. Figure 5: Respondents with More Than One Adult
in the Household
60% 55%
50%
40% 37%
31%
30% 26%
20%
10%
0%
1998 2002 2004 2010
One characteristic that has stayed the same throughout the surveys is that approximately half of the
respondents work Downtown. The majority of respondents also continue to drive to work.
Table 1: Location of Employment and Commute
Characteristics 1998 2004 2010
Work Downtown 53% 50% 51%
Commute to work by automobile Na 68% 69%
Perceptions About Downtown Kansas City
Respondents are very satisfied with their decision to live in Downtown Kansas City. Ninety-four
percent of the respondents indicated that they were completely satisfied or satisfied with their
decision to move Downtown.
Respondents also rated the quality of Downtown based on a variety of categories. Downtown ranked
above average for:
• Entertainment/nightlife
• Character (history and architecture)
• Art and culture
• Dining options
• Diversity (social, economic and cultural)
• Connectivity/ease of access with the rest of the region
• Cleanliness
• Cost of living
Categories ranking below average included:
• Public transportation options
• Green space (parks & trails)
• Shopping options
Downtown Council of Kansas City Page 6

7. Services, Amenities, Entertainment and Nightlife
Over the past decade, the number of restaurants, service retail providers, entertainment and nightlife
venues located Downtown has increased (add specific numbers and investment). The impact of this
can be seen in this survey. For example, 72% of respondents indicated they casually dine at a
Downtown restaurant 4 or more times per month. 67% shop for groceries Downtown 4 or more
times per month. The most often visited providers are casual dining establishments for dinner or
lunch, groceries and entertainment/nightlife. The least visited and utilized providers were: public
transportation, gift shopping, clothes shopping and home furniture/accessories shopping.
Table 2 – Monthly Visits to Downtown Service/Retail/Amenity Providers
Providers 0 times per 4 + visits per
month month
Dinner, casual dining 6% 72%
Groceries 11% 67%
Lunch, casual dining 10% 64%
Entertainment/Nightlife 12% 62%
Breakfast (including coffee only) 24% 43%
Dinner, fine dining 35% 23%
Pharmacy/Health and Personal Care Products 44% 22%
Libraries 58% 20%
Movies/Movie Theater 35% 19%
Weekend brunch 54% 15%
Public Transportation 78% 12%
Gift shopping 64% 11%
Clothes shopping 72% 8%
Home Furniture & Accessories shopping 82% 5%
Table 3: Downtown Service/Retail/Amenity - Comparisons and Trends
Grocery Stores Responses
2002 90% of respondents find this inadequate, inconvenient or totally lacking
2004 92% of respondents find this inadequate, inconvenient or totally lacking
2010 67% of respondents shop for groceries Downtown 4+ times/month
Casual Dining
2002 50% of respondents find this inadequate, inconvenient or totally lacking
2004 47%of respondents find this inadequate, inconvenient or totally lacking
2010 72% of respondents dine out for a casual dinner Downtown 4+
times/month
Fine Dining
2002 50% of respondents find this inadequate, inconvenient or totally lacking
2004 27% of respondents find this inadequate, inconvenient or totally lacking
2010 23% of respondents dine out for "fine" dining Downtown 4+ times/month
Downtown Council of Kansas City Page 7

8. Survey Results
Resident Profile
1. How long have you lived Downtown?
Options Responses Percent
Less than 1-year 144 18%
1-2 years 252 31%
3-4 years 202 25%
5-6 years 95 12%
7-8 years 30 4%
9-10 years 23 3%
11-20 years 41 5%
More than 20 years 22 3%
Total 809 100%
2. Neighborhood of Respondents
Neighborhood Responses Percent of Total
18th & Vine 6 1%
Columbus Park 11 1%
Convention/Power & Light Districts 5 1%
Crossroads 101 11%
Crown Center/Union Hill 92 10%
Financial 108 12%
Government 25 3%
Hospital Hill/Longfellow/Beacon Hill 9 1%
Library District 120 13%
Quality Hill 74 8%
River Market 168 19%
Westside 44 5%
Other/Did Not Specify 129 15%
Total 892 100%
Downtown Council of Kansas City Page 8

9. 3. Prior to moving Downtown, what was the zip code of your primary residence?
Options Responses % of Total
Jackson (MO) 319 41%
Clay (MO) 47 6%
Platte (MO) 30 4%
Cass (MO) 2 0%
Other Missouri Counties 44 6%
Johnson (KS) 155 20%
Wyandotte (KS) 12 2%
Leavenworth (KS) 2 0%
Other Kansas Counties 45 6%
Other States/International 115 15%
Total 771 100%
4. Do you own or rent your downtown residence?
Own
42%
Rent
58%
5. If RENTING, are you seriously considering buying a home downtown within the next 2 years?
Yes
30%
No
70%
Downtown Council of Kansas City Page 9

10. 6. What is your average monthly rent / mortgage payment?
• 20% of respondents pay $750 or less for their monthly rent/mortgage payment. 60% pay
between $750 and $1,500 per month and 20% pay more than $1,500 per month for their
rent or mortgage payment.
Monthly Rent/Mortgage Payment Responses % of Total % of Less
than 1 yr
$500 or less 18 2% 1%
$501 - $750 143 18% 19%
$751 - $1000 204 26% 29%
$1001 - $1250 156 20% 22%
$1251 – $1500 114 14% 17%
$1501 - $2000 83 10% 9%
$2001 – $3000 48 6% 1%
$3001+ 5 1% 0%
No Monthly Payment 24 3% 0%
Total 795 100% 100%
7. What is your age?
Age Responses % of Total % of less than
1 year
18-24 93 12% 26%
25-29 236 29% 35%
30-34 143 18% 16%
35-39 78 10% 5%
40-49 115 14% 10%
50-59 96 12% 6%
60-64 31 4% 1%
65+ 16 2% 1%
Total 808 100% 100%
8. What is your gender?
• 50% of respondents were female.
• Within the subset of respondents who have lived Downtown for less than 1 year, 57%
were female.
Downtown Council of Kansas City Page 10

11. 9. Which of the following best describes your current marital status?
Options Responses % of Total
Single (never married) 358 44%
Single (separated, divorced, widowed) 103 13%
Living with partner 94 12%
Married 256 32%
Total 811 100%
10. INCLUDING YOURSELF, how many adults (18 or older) live in your household?
Options Responses % of Total
Five 1 0%
Four 4 1%
Three 17 2%
Two 413 52%
One 352 45%
Total 787 100%
11. How many children (under 18) live in your household?
Options Responses % of Total
Three 10 1%
Two 22 3%
One 51 6%
None 705 90%
Total 788 100%
12. What is your highest level of education completed?
Options Responses % of Total
Some high school 2 0%
High school graduate 21 3%
Some college 114 14%
College graduate 360 44%
Some post graduate work 95 12%
Post graduate degree 224 27%
Total 816 100%
Downtown Council of Kansas City Page 11

12. 13. Which of the following categories best describes your total annual household income?
Options Responses % of Total % of less
than 1 year
$25,000 or less 46 6% 9%
$25,001 - $35,000 65 8% 9%
$35,001 - $50,000 136 17% 23%
$50,001 - $75,000 171 22% 23%
$75,001 - $100,000 147 19% 14%
$100,001 - $150,000 132 17% 16%
$150,001 - $200,000 55 7% 4%
More than $200,000 40 5% 4%
Total 792 100% 100%
14. Which of the following best describes your employment status? Please select one.
Options Responses % of Total
Employed Full-time 639 78%
Employed Part-time 20 2%
Self-employed 72 9%
Student Full-time 31 4%
Retiree 21 3%
Unemployed 15 2%
Other, please specify 17 2%
Total 815 100%
Downtown Council of Kansas City Page 12

13. 15. What is the zip code of your primary workplace location?
• 51% of respondents work Downtown. 21% work elsewhere in Jackson County, Missouri. 14%
work in Johnson County, Kansas.
Options Responses % of
Total
Downtown Zip Codes (64101, 64102, 64105, 64106, 64108) 383 51%
Jackson County (MO) 155 21%
Clay County (MO) 33 4%
Platte County (MO) 23 3%
Cass County (MO) 2 0%
Lafayette County (MO) 2 0%
Other Missouri Counties 4 1%
Johnson County (KS) 103 14%
Wyandotte County (KS) 25 3%
Leavenworth County (KS) 3 0%
Other Kansas Counties 5 1%
Other States/International 7 1%
Total 745 100%
16. How do you most often commute to work?
Options Responses % of Total
Bike 10 1%
Carpool 13 2%
Drive myself 544 69%
Metro Bus 17 2%
Motorcycle/Scooter 3 0%
Walk 149 19%
Work from home 53 7%
Total 789 100%
17. How long is your typical commute?
Options Responses % of Total
15 minutes or less 543 70%
16-30 minutes 195 25%
31-60 minutes 29 4%
More than an hour 7 1%
Total 774 100%
Downtown Council of Kansas City Page 13

14. Perceptions About Downtown Kansas City
• How satisfied are you with your decision to live downtown?
(1= Completely Unsatisfied and 7= Completely Satisfied)
Responses 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Below Average Above
Average Average
(1-7) 22 13 17 52 190 317 260 6% 6% 88%
• How do you rate the current quality of each of the following aspects of Downtown Kansas City?
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Below Average Above
Categories Average Average
Entertainment/Nightlife 6 17 39 101 217 316 185 7% 11% 81%
Character (history & architecture) 6 14 38 120 261 312 138 7% 13% 80%
Personal safety during the day 16 17 47 99 238 326 142 9% 11% 80%
Art & culture 5 20 34 122 282 293 131 7% 14% 80%
Dining options 10 30 69 138 212 269 155 12% 16% 72%
Diversity (social, economic, &
11 20 73 159 269 234 117 12% 18% 70%
cultural)
Connectivity/ease of access with
26 44 84 116 187 265 166 17% 13% 70%
the rest of the region
Cleanliness 19 33 99 231 293 158 56 17% 26% 57%
Cost of living 13 36 100 252 270 165 47 17% 29% 55%
Property safety 36 72 131 207 231 159 45 27% 23% 49%
Infrastructure (streets, lighting,
30 60 131 244 242 142 38 25% 28% 48%
signage, etc.)
Walkability (density, mixed-use,
44 87 178 193 204 143 39 35% 22% 43%
pedestrian friendly, green space)
Family-friendly amenities &
11 75 138 283 232 104 38 25% 32% 42%
attractions
Sense of Community 35 78 176 226 186 134 51 33% 26% 42%
Personal safety at night 53 83 176 211 222 111 28 35% 24% 41%
Service options (doctors, banking,
35 85 152 258 207 111 40 31% 29% 40%
etc.)
Public parking (availability & cost) 84 86 142 220 177 116 61 35% 25% 40%
Recreation options 34 93 187 246 208 82 30 36% 28% 36%
10
Public transportation options 156 155 190 149 90 33 48% 22% 31%
8
Green space (parks & trails) 76 158 207 201 153 67 24 50% 23% 28%
Shopping options 81 157 247 191 134 53 19 55% 22% 23%
Notes:
'Below Average Rating' is the total of answers 1, 2, & 3.
'Average Rating' is the total of answer 4.
'Above Average Rating' is the total of answers 5, 6, & 7.
Downtown Council of Kansas City Page 14

15. Services, Amenities, Entertainment and Nightlife
• In the past month, how many times have you visited downtown providers for the following
purposes?
Providers 0 1-3 4-7 8-15 16-24 25+
Breakfast (including coffee only) 24% 33% 21% 13% 6% 3%
Lunch, casual dining 10% 26% 29% 24% 7% 4%
Dinner, casual dining 6% 22% 35% 25% 8% 3%
Dinner, fine dining 35% 42% 15% 5% 2% 1%
Weekend brunch 54% 31% 11% 3% 1% 0%
Clothes shopping 72% 20% 5% 2% 0% 0%
Entertainment/Nightlife 12% 26% 32% 18% 9% 4%
Gift shopping 64% 25% 7% 2% 1% 0%
Groceries 11% 22% 29% 22% 10% 6%
Home Furniture & Accessories 82% 13% 4% 1% 0% 0%
shopping
Libraries 58% 22% 10% 5% 3% 2%
Movies/Movie Theater 35% 46% 12% 4% 2% 2%
Pharmacy/Health and Personal 44% 34% 12% 6% 2% 2%
Care Products
Public Transportation 78% 10% 5% 3% 1% 3%
Downtown Council of Kansas City Page 15

16. Appendix A: Distribution
DTC Members
DTC Email List
Residential Properties (Property Managers Contacted Directly)
1819 Baltimore Jazz District Apartments
2004 Grand Mallin/Gibson Properties
21 Ten Manhattan Condos
30 Gillham Row Market Station
310 Delaware, 1518 & 1522 Walnut Master Realty Properties
Lofts Metropolitan Condos
5 Delaware, First & Main - Curry Monroe Hotel
523 Grand Old Town Lofts
909 Walnut One Park Place
Battery Lofts, Cherry Hill Professional Building Lofts
Condominiums Quality Hill
Blue Urban Quality Hill Square
Bridgeworks Lofts, City Homes - Curry Quality Hill Towers
City Market Lofts Riverbend Lofts
Cold Storage Lofts San Francisco Tower
Conover Place Santa Fe Condominiums
DE Lofts The View Condominiums
Founder's at Union Hill Triangle Townhomes
Freighthouse Flats W Lofts
Greenlease Cadillac Building Wallstreet Tower
Haden Lofts Western Auto Lofts
Downtown Neighborhood, Community, and Home Owners Associations
Columbus Park Community Council
Downtown Neighborhood Association
Longfellow Community Association
Union Hill Neighborhood Association
Westside Housing
Westside CAN Center
Downtown Council of Kansas City Page 16