Census Bureau nudges up KC population

By MICHAEL MANSUR

The Kansas City Star

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480,129.

451,572.

475,830.

450,375.

Which one of these is the official population of Kansas City?

In fact, each one has been the U.S. Census Bureau’s estimate at one time or another since 2007. But the latest estimate is the largest — 480,129.

City Manager Wayne Cauthen on Tuesday announced the new number, which is up nearly 30,000 from the Census Bureau’s original 2008 estimate.

The city appealed the initial figure, persuading federal officials to increase the number largely by presenting data on building and demolition permits, said Steven Lebofsky, a development specialist in the city’s Planning and Development Department.

The boost should gratify those who had fretted that Omaha, Neb., might catch Kansas City. The Census Bureau’s original 2008 estimates had Kansas City at 451,572 and Omaha at 438,646.

But city officials said the population boost was more significant than just bragging rights. It could add to the amount of federal or state money flowing to Kansas City because population often figures into government funding formulas.

Kansas City has successfully appealed before. The Census Bureau originally estimated the city’s 2007 population at 450,375. But the city appealed, and Census officials agreed to boost the number to 475,830.

The 2007 revised figure wasn’t won early enough to affect the original 2008 estimate, Lebofsky said. But the new 2008 figure has been achieved earlier, so it may be more of a starting point for 2009, he said.

To reach Michael Mansur, call 816-234-4433 or send e-mail to mmansur@kcstar.com.

Posted on Tue, Nov. 10, 2009 10:41 PM

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