9 Fastest-Growing Cities in Kansas City Right Now

Table of Contents

1. Why KC Is Growing Faster Than Ever

2. Top 9 Fastest-Growing Cities in Kansas City Metro

   • Spring Hill

   • Lee’s Summit

   • Liberty

   • Parkville

   • Lenexa

   • Overland Park

   • Kansas City, Kansas (KCK)

   • Kansas City, Missouri (KCMO)

3. Planning Your Move to KC? Here’s Your Next Step

Why KC Is Growing Faster Than Ever

Between July 2023 and 2024, the Kansas City metro added more than 18,000 new residents—nearly double the growth of the year before. (Download the numbers here from The KC Scene)

Even more impressive? For the first time in recent memory, every city in the KC metro with over 20,000 people saw population growth.

So where is everyone going—and why? Let’s break down the 9 fastest-growing cities around Kansas City right now, what’s fueling their popularity, and who each one is best for.

Top 9 Fastest-Growing Cities in Kansas City Metro

1. Spring Hill

📈 Growth: 26%+ since 2020
📍 Location: Southern Johnson County

Once mostly farmland, Spring Hill has transformed into a high-demand hub for new neighborhoods and families. The appeal?

• Room to build

• More space for less money

• Quieter lifestyle with bike-friendly streets

• Within Johnson County but at a lower price point

It still feels like a small town, but growth is booming. Ideal for first-time buyers, families, and those looking for affordability + charm.

2. Lee’s Summit

📈 Growth: 5.2% since 2020
📍 Location: Southeast Jackson County

We recently wrote a deep-dive on this one: [Is Lee’s Summit the Best Place to Live Near Kansas City?]

With over 100,000 residents, Lee’s Summit manages to keep its small-town vibe with walkable downtown charm, amazing schools, and plenty of new construction. Neighborhoods like New Longview give you historic appeal with suburban convenience.

Great for:

• Commuters

• Families

• Anyone who wants balance, beauty, and room to grow

3. Liberty

📈 Growth: 3.6% since 2020
📍 Location: Clay County, Northland

Liberty is quietly becoming a buyer favorite. Why?

• A vibrant, walkable historic square

• Major retail & new development nearby

• Strong schools

• Great highway access to downtown KC and the airport

If you're looking for steady growth, value, and fewer bidding wars, Liberty should be on your radar.

4. Parkville

📈 Growth: 25% since 2020
📍 Location: Northland

Parkville might just be the best-kept secret north of the river.

• Blufftop views

• River access + nature trails

• Gorgeous custom home communities like Thousand Oaks and Chapel Ridge

• Top-rated schools in the Park Hill District

It’s upscale but grounded, scenic but close to everything. Homes here move fast, so if you’re looking for elegance + serenity, don’t wait.

5. Lenexa

📈 Growth: 3.5% since 2020
📍 Location: Johnson County

Lenexa has been intentionally transformed. What was once mostly open land is now home to the Lenexa City Center, one of the metro’s most walkable and thoughtfully designed areas.

Highlights:

• Parks, restaurants, green space

• Proximity to Overland Park

• Community-focused planning

For folks looking for modern living, smart city design, and long-term lifestyle value, Lenexa checks every box.

6. Overland Park

📈 Growth: Nearly 6,000 new residents since 2020
📍 Location: Johnson County

Sure, it’s well-known, but Overland Park keeps growing—and for good reason.

• Ranked one of the best cities in America to raise a family

• Master-planned neighborhoods

• Miles of trails + huge parks

• Downtown OP is getting a $30M renovation

Whether you're buying or building, OP continues to be one of the safest, smartest investments in the metro. [Related: Best Neighborhoods in Overland Park for Families →]

7. Kansas City, Kansas (KCK)

📈 Growth: Nearly 13% of the metro’s new residents last year
📍 Location: Wyandotte County

KCK is evolving.

• Rapid growth out west near Piper and Bonner Springs

• More land + affordability

• Anchored by the Legends outlet area, with new retail + entertainment

It’s not as polished as Johnson County, but the long-term upside is huge. For buyers who want space + value, it’s a city worth watching.

8. Kansas City, Missouri (KCMO)

📈 Growth: Over 4,700 new residents in the last year alone
📍 Location: Everywhere—it’s the core of the metro

KCMO is the heartbeat of the region and the #1 city for population growth last year.

Where’s the boom happening?

• Northland neighborhoods like Shaw Creek and Staley Hills

• New construction + strong schools

• Close proximity to the airport + downtown

And don’t forget neighborhoods like Waldo—where we live—full of charm, history, and local pride.

KCMO offers suburban breathing room with urban access, making it one of the most versatile and vibrant places to live in the metro.

Planning Your Move to KC? Here’s Your Next Step

Whether you're relocating in 6 weeks or 6 months, understanding the fastest-growing cities in Kansas City can help you narrow your search and make smart, confident decisions.

We’ve helped families move from across the country—California, Arizona, New York, Colorado, and beyond. Wherever you're coming from, KC is ready to welcome you.

👉 [Download our free KC Relocation Guide here]
👉 [Explore our deep-dive on Lee’s Summit neighborhoods here]
📞 [Book a call with our team]
📩 Or email us anytime at info@movingtokc.net

And if you're exploring new construction communities, be sure to check out this video next:
[Top 5 New Construction Neighborhoods in Kansas City →]

Hey, I’m Kyle Talbot—Kansas City real estate agent, content creator, and team lead of Moving to KC the #1 relocation-focused real estate team in Kansas City. We help people relocating to Kansas City—as well as local buyers and sellers—navigate the KC housing market with ease.