How Downtown Kansas City measures up to its peers
This chart shows how downtown Kansas City ranks among 14 peer downtowns in similar-sized cities. The 16 statistical measures were
chosen to reflect a wide range of economic and lifestyle activity, but some statistics were not available for every downtown. The peer
downtowns are: Charlotte, Cincinnati, Columbus, OH, Denver, Indianapolis, Louisville, Memphis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Oklahoma City,
Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City and St. Louis.
Sorted top to bottom by how KC ranks:
		KC's rank among
What measuring	Time period	peer downtowns	Notes
Annual new housing units	2000-2007	1st out of 12	KC almost doubled the average gain in peer downtowns. Data available either through 2005, 2006 or 2007, so comparisons were made by annual growth.
Change in total businesses	2000-2005	2nd out of 13	All peer downtowns except KC and Oklahoma City suffered a net loss of business establishments, according to census estimates. Credit growth in art galleries and studios.
Estimated annual population change	2000-2007	3rd out of 12	KC's average growth of 591 new residents a year is 34% higher than the peer average and trails only Memphis and Charlotte. Estimates come from each city's downtown agency.
Proposed new housing units	2007-2009	5th out of 11	While KC was tops in newly built housing units, it's merely middle of the pack in projects on the drawing board, showing KC's residential development momentum may be slowing.
Average household income	2000-2007	6th out of 13	Income is an indicator of buying power to lure additional retail and nightlife, and KC's 20% growth is in the middle of the pack.
Forecasted office space	2008-2010	6th out of 13	Anticipated projects show KC gaining 216,000 square feet, above the peer downtown average, meaning KC's office market is gaining some momentum over its past rate of office absorption.
Change in Class A office rents	2002-2007	6th out of 12	KC's 5% rise in rents for the best office space is above the peer average, a sign of increasing demand. Rents here are climbing with the entertainment district open.
Change in office vacancy rate	2001-2007	7th out of 13	KC was one of 7 downtowns whose vacancy rate climbed by 33% or more. But KC's current downtown vacancy rate, around 20%, is one of the worst in its peer group.
New office space	2001-2007	8th out of 13	Some downtowns, like Pittsburgh, Memphis and Nashville, have gained more than 2 million square feet of new office space, while KC has netted about 250,000 square feet.
Change in private-sector jobs	2000-2005	9th out of 13	Census estimates show downtown KC lost 9,400 jobs by 2005. Recent developments like H&R Block's headquarters added jobs, but probably not enough to offset all the losses.
New shops & services	2000-2005	10th out of 13	Almost all peer downtowns have been losing retail, and KC is no exception, but KC's decline has been worse than most.
New restaurants & bars	2000-2005	10th out of 13	Data again based on dated census figures. KC is better off now with the Power & Light District opening, but that wouldn't push KC beyond the middle of the pack.
Change in average hotel occupancy	2000-2007	12th out of 13	KC also has the second-lowest average occupancy rate among downtown peers, a sign that KC isn't recapturing tourists yet.
Change in hotel room supply	2000-2007	12th out of 13	Most downtown peers experienced double-digit percentage jumps in total hotel rooms, while KC merely held steady.
Change in tourist hotel stays	2000-2007	12th out of 13	Only KC and Cincinnati have experienced a decline in total hotel room nights. Most peer downtowns have had double-digit growth.
Downtown's share of metro market	2001-2007	12th out of 13	Almost all of these peer downtowns have lost office market share to the suburbs, but KC's share plunged 20%.