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Northland Regional Business

Underlying the Northland it is evident; there is a strong growing economy. Throughout the region, job producing growth has been steady, and in some cases dramatic. Clay County, in 2004, saw the arrival or development of more than 400 new businesses and dozens of smaller entrepreneurial efforts. Platte County saw major acceleration of development around Kansas City International Airport and along the I-29 corridor. One reason for the Northland’s economic strength is the relative diversity of its economic base. While the area has always hosted several of the largest employers in the region, what is also significant is the startling range of industry: Cerner [medical software], the Ford Motor Company [auto assembly], Hallmark Cards [greeting card distribution] and the Kansas City International Airport [transportation].

Area realtors who deal in the relocation market know first-hand the impact of the Northland’s low cost of living. Buyers coming in are often shocked at how much home they can afford here. And the daily cost of living is equally affordable. Besides this affordability, unprecedented retail and job growth have gone far in boosting the area economy and pushing unemployment rates far below the state average. The development of gaming in the Northland area also has contributed greatly to job growth.

Along with population growth in Clay County and Platte County, Northland residents have enjoyed healthy increases in per-capita income. In the 10 years from 1991 to 2001, per-capita income in Clay County grew by almost 57 percent, resulting in 2002 per-capita personal income of $31,171. Platte County per-capita income grew by a whopping 62 percent, with 2002 per-capita personal income at $34,083.

In terms of demographics, women outnumber men in the Northland by about 5 percent and residents are primarily white. However, diversity is vastly growing with the increase in Hispanic, Black and Asian residents. The Northland’s population also is a young one, with 26 percent of residents under the age of 18 and only about 10 percent being over the age of 65, making the area slightly younger than the state average.