Economic times in Overland Park and Platte County, Mo. (Kansas City: 2009, foreclosure)

[sparksharp]

So I was just curious...in these uncertain economic times...how is Overland Park and Platte County, Mo. faring? I'm just curious about foreclosure rates and unemployment in the area, etc.

I know Johnson County is the wealthiest county in Kansas but has anyone noticed a difference in these uncertain economic times? How about Platte County in Missouri? How are they weathering these current economic times?

[luzianne]

I tried to look at census bureau statistics but of course, all the statistics were from before the economic downturn. But if you go here State and County QuickFacts you can put in Kansas, Johnson County, and Missouri, Platte County, and at least come up with some information about each. Looks like the statistics are for up to 2007 though.

I found this information which says it was compiled in July 2008 - JCCC::Profile of Johnson County, Kansas

"Employment opportunities are unusually good in Johnson County. The Johnson County economy has sustained an average annual job growth rate of 2.7%, compared to 0.6% in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area and 1.4% for the United States. This corresponds to an average net increase of 10,498 new jobs per year. Unemployment in Johnson County remains below the state and national average, and stood at 4.3% as of May 2008.

Johnson County’s unsurpassed business environment and quality of life are the fuels that power one of the Midwest’s principal economic engines. Johnson County’s sustained population and economic growth are testament to the fundamentally superior characteristics that make up the “Johnson County Advantage,” and help explain why Johnson County’s population and economic growth rank the County in the top 9% of all counties nationally."

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by luzianne

"Employment opportunities are unusually good in Johnson County. The Johnson County economy has sustained an average annual job growth rate of 2.7%, compared to 0.6% in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area and 1.4% for the United States. This corresponds to an average net increase of 10,498 new jobs per year. Unemployment in Johnson County remains below the state and national average, and stood at 4.3% as of May 2008.

The Census Bureau data does not indicate non-farm employment growth between 2000-2006 at an annual 2.7% at all. In fact, the growth rate for JOCO came out to an average of 0.95% per year. This is far better than the average 0.2% growth per year for the state of Kansas between 2000 and 2006.
On the other hand, Platte County, MO DID have annualized non-farm employment growth at an average of 1.8% per year between 2000 and 2006.
Here is how the other metro counties stack up:
Clay, MO 3.3% non-farm employment growth between 2000 and 2006.
Jackson, MO -6.4% non-farm employment decline between 2000 and 2006.
Clinton, MO 22.4% non-farm employment growth between 2000 and 2006.
Ray, MO 0.9% non-farm employment growth between 2000 and 2006.
Lafayette, MO 2.6% non-farm employment growth between 2000 and 2006
Cass, MO 26.0% non-farm employment growth between 2000 and 2006.
Bates, MO -10.8% non-farm employment decline between 2000 and 2006.
Caldwell, MO 10.5% non-farm employment growth between 2000 and 2006.
Wyandotte, KS 5.3% non-farm employment growth between 2000 and 2006.
Leavenworth, KS 5.0% non-farm employment growth between 2000 and 2006.
Franklin, KS 11.8% non-farm employment growth between 2000 and 2006.
Miami, KS 1.2% non-farm employment growth between 2000 and 2006.
Linn, KS -9.5% non-farm employment decline between 2000 and 2006.

[luzianne]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

The Census Bureau data does not indicate non-farm employment growth between 2000-2006 at an annual 2.7% at all. In fact, the growth rate for JOCO came out to an average of 0.95% per year. This is far better than the 0.2% growth for the state of Kansas between 2000 and 2006.
On the other hand, Platte County, MO DID have annualized non-farm employment growth at an average of 1.8% per year between 2000 and 2006.
Here is how the other metro counties stack up:
Clay, MO 3.3% non-farm employment growth between 2000 and 2006.
Jackson, MO -6.4% non-farm employment decline between 2000 and 2006.
Clinton, MO 22.4% non-farm employment growth between 2000 and 2006.
Ray, MO 0.9% non-farm employment growth between 2000 and 2006.
Lafayette, MO 2.6% non-farm employment growth between 2000 and 2006
Cass, MO 26.0% non-farm employment growth between 2000 and 2006.
Bates, MO -10.8% non-farm employment decline between 2000 and 2006.
Caldwell, MO 10.5% non-farm employment growth between 2000 and 2006.
Wyandotte, KS 5.3% non-farm employment growth between 2000 and 2006.
Leavenworth, KS 5.0% non-farm employment growth between 2000 and 2006.
Franklin, KS 11.8% non-farm employment growth between 2000 and 2006.
Miami, KS 1.2% non-farm employment growth between 2000 and 2006.
Linn, KS -9.5% non-farm employment decline between 2000 and 2006.

I don't know where you got 2000 to 2006 or if that is the time period that the 2.7% that the article I quoted was going by. I didn't see anything about 2000 to 2006. They listed their sources at the bottom of the article and I tend to believe their figures are accurate.

I know you don't like Johnson County, but the fact is - Johnson County is doing fine economically. I don't know about Platte County; haven't lived there since I was about 6 years old and have no desire to go back!

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by luzianne

I don't know where you got 2000 to 2006 or if that is the time period that the 2.7% that the article I quoted was going by. I didn't see anything about 2000 to 2006. They listed their sources at the bottom of the article and I tend to believe their figures are accurate.

I know you don't like Johnson County, but the fact is - Johnson County is doing fine economically. I don't know about Platte County; haven't lived there since I was about 6 years old and have no desire to go back!

The figures that I got were from the Census Bureau website which lists economic data for every county in the country (although it is only current for the 2000-2006 period). The fastest growing county in terms of percentage is Cass County, MO.
Here is the Johnson County data:
Johnson County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau
Here is the Platte County data:
Platte County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau

[sparksharp]

I don't know about Platte County; haven't lived there since I was about 6 years old and have no desire to go back!

May I ask why you wouldn't want to go back? Just curious.

[GraniteStater]

Platte County is one of the wealthiest counties in Missouri.

[luzianne]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

Platte County one of the wealthiest counties in Missouri.

And Johnson County is THE wealthiest county in Kansas, and wealthier than Platte County.

[luzianne]

Originally Posted by sparksharp

May I ask why you wouldn't want to go back? Just curious.

I'm sure Platte County has changed a lot since I was a child, but I just don't care for Missouri. It has a whole different feel to it than Kansas, and Johnson County feels like home to me. I just prefer Kansas, and in particular Johnson County. Johnson Countians are often called snobs. I think maybe that was more true 30 or 40 years ago than now, but Johnson County is wealthier than the surrounding counties. Crime is low. People take care of their property. The schools have high ratings. I used to live in Kansas and work in Missouri and in the winter when it snowed, I would have clear streets till I got to the state like, and then the roads were packed with ice and snow that had not been cleaned off yet (Jackson County). The difference was very obvious. I also am spoiled because there is no smoking allowed in Overland Park in any eating establishment. I forget about that sometimes and eat somewhere in Missouri (or other places in Kansas) and am reminded when I eat while smelling cigarette smoke (even if you are in the "nonsmoking section", you still smell it).

I used to like to eat at the Corner Cafe in Riverside (Platte County), but last time we went there I breathed smoke while I ate my chicken and noodles, and we decided that was our last time there. I like that fact that any restaurant I go into in Overland Park will be smoke free. If people what to smoke I have no problem with that, but I don't to breathe their smoke.

The people are different in Platte County and Johnson County. You should plan a visit and come and visit both places. That's the only way you can decide for yourself. But from what I have read of your posts, you're a Johnson County girl! I wouldn't know where to tell you to go to get a feel for Platte County, but in Johnson County go look around at the area of Nall from 127th to 143rd or and all around that area. I live in Prairie Village, which is an older part of Johnson County. I like it here. There is low crime. We have huge trees and lots of them. It is just 20 minutes to the Plaza, 30 minutes tops downtown. There is no more land in Prairie Village and it's a very desirable location. But I'm the kind of person who likes newer and more upscale, and that's what the newer parts of Johnson County are.

[kcmo]

luzianne, you really need to spend some more time in Platte County. I think you would really like it if you would just check it out. Corner Cafe in Riverside? Are you kidding me? Riverside is still Riverside. Shall I compare the homes around the National Golf Club on Tom Watson Parkway to the shacks in northern JoCo along 35/635? What next? RED X sucks compared to Town Center Plaza??? BTW, google "Town Center Plaza" I think every metro area has at least one suburban shopping center with that name, I thought that was kinda funny. At least Zona Rosa is somewhat unique and it's much more of a "Town Center" than that leawood strip mall . See what you make me do?

The reason people call JoCo people snobs is because of thoughts like that. Platte has TONS of VERY upscale areas. Yet for some odd reason, nobody that lives there feels the need to get on forums and tell people how wealthy the county is. They have nothing to prove. Get what I'm trying to say?

There is a reason why so many people across the entire metro area sort of look down on JoCo residents. And it's not because they are jealous and wished they could afford to live in Johnson County...

Moderators:

This is a Kansas "CITY" area thread. Can we move all the Kansas "CITY" area threads out of the Kansas forum????