Blue Springs is a city in

Jackson County, Missouri Jackson County is located in the western portion of the U.S. state of Missouri, on the border with Kansas. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population was 717,204. making it the second-most populous county in the state (af ...

, United States. Blue Springs is located east of

Kansas City The Kansas City metropolitan area is a bi-state metropolitan area anchored by Kansas City, Missouri. Its 14 counties straddle the border between the U.S. states of Missouri (9 counties) and Kansas (5 counties). With and a population of more t ...

. It is the 8th largest city in the

Kansas City metropolitan area The Kansas City metropolitan area is a bi-state metropolitan area anchored by Kansas City, Missouri. Its 14 counties straddle the border between the U.S. states of Missouri (9 counties) and Kansas (5 counties). With and a population of more t ...

and 10th largest city in the state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 58,604.

History

As early as 1825, a spring of water flowing from the side of a hill and falling into a tributary of Little Blue River was used by campers, traders, and many wagons starting on the Santa Fe expeditions. They met here before crossing the plains. The spring was named Blue Springs by freighters freighting provisions to the Harmony Mission, on the Marias de Cygnes River in Bates County Missouri, from Lexington, Missouri in Lafayette County. The presence of water and a need for supplies led to the construction of a grist mill and a permanent settlement of Blue Springs near the spring. The original town site of Blue Springs and the spring for which Blue Springs was named was located near what became Burrus Old Mill Park. An early settler, Franklin Smith, arrived in Blue Springs from Virginia in 1838, and became a leading figure in the community's development. He established the first post office in 1845, naming it after the well-known springs. The settlement continued to grow near the springs until March 1878, when the Chicago and Alton Railroad announced plans to build a station about one mile east of the original settlement. To take advantage of the commerce the railroad would bring, the town moved its center to the site of the new station and continued its development as a rural trading center. The Chicago & Alton Hotel built in 1878 is the oldest business in the city. The Jackson County Court granted the incorporation of Blue Springs as a town on September 7, 1880, making it the fourth settlement in the county to be incorporated. On January 12, 1904, Blue Springs was incorporated as a 4th class city. Blue Springs adopted a Constitutional Charter and became Home Rule Charter City in April 1994. The former Bank of Blue Springs was established in 1883. It had a capital surplus of $50,000 in 1926.

Geography

According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...

, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water.

Climate

Blue Springs experiences a colder variation of a four-season

humid subtropical climate A humid subtropical climate is a subtropical -temperate climate type, characterized by long and hot summers, and cool to mild winters. These climates normally lie on the southeast side of all continents (except Antarctica), generally between ...

(

Köppen climate classification The Köppen climate classification divides Earth climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on patterns of seasonal precipitation and temperature. The five main groups are ''A'' (tropical), ''B'' (arid), ''C'' (te ...

''Cfa'') with mild days and cold nights during the winter, and hot days and muggy nights during the summer.

Demographics

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 58,603 people, 20,344 households, and 15,319 families in Blue Springs. The population density was 2,609.2 per square mile (1,007.4/km). There were 21,196 housing units at an average density of 943.7 per square mile (364.4/km). The racial makeup was 78.48% (45,989)

white White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...

, 7.79% (4,567) black or African-American, 0.54% (315) Native American, 1.5% (880) Asian, 0.2% (117)

Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, Pacificans, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe th ...

, 2.02% (1,184) from other races, and 9.47% (5,551) from two or more races.

Hispanic The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...

or Latino of any race was 6.5% (3,596) of the population. Of the 20,344 households, 35.7% had children under the age of 18; 57.2% were married couples living together; 24.5% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 20.3% consisted of individuals and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.7 and the average family size was 3.1. 26.7% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 92.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 88.2 males. The 2016-2020 5-year

American Community Survey The American Community Survey (ACS) is an annual demographics survey program conducted by the United States Census Bureau. It regularly gathers information previously contained only in the long form of the United States census, decennial census ...

estimates show that the median household income was $72,846 (with a margin of error of +/- $3,765) and the median family income was $83,058 (+/- $4,396). Males had a median income of $50,007 (+/- $2,780) versus $34,538 (+/- $2,432) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $41,436 (+/- $1,423). Approximately, 4.2% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...

, including 5.7% of those under the age of 18 and 6.3% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the

census A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...

of 2010, there were 52,575 people, 19,522 households, and 14,468 families residing in the city. The

population density Population density (in agriculture: Standing stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geog ...

was . There were 20,643 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 87.6%

White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...

, 6.2%

African American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...

, 0.5% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.2%

, 1.3% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races.

or Latino of any race were 5.0% of the population. There were 19,522 households, of which 40.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were

married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...

living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 25.9% were non-families. 20.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.09. The median age in the city was 34.7 years. 27.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.8% were from 25 to 44; 26.4% were from 45 to 64; and 9.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.

2000 census

, there were 48,080 people, 17,286 households, and 13,362 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 17,733 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 93.18%

, 2.93%

, 0.43% Native American, 0.97% Asian, 0.11%

, 0.83% from other races, and 1.55% from two or more races.

or Latino of any race were 2.76% of the population. There were 17,286 households, out of which 42.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.1% were

living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.7% were non-families. 18.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.16. In the city the population was spread out, with 29.5% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males. The median income for a household in the city was $55,402, and the median income for a family was $61,008. Males had a median income of $41,373 versus $29,688 for females. The

per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...

for the city was $23,444. About 3.9% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the

, including 6.0% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Top employers

According to the town's 2022 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:

Arts and culture

Mid-Continent Public Library Mid-Continent Public Library, officially known as Consolidated Library District #3, is a public library system serving Clay County, Missouri, Clay, Jackson County, Missouri, Jackson, and Platte County, Missouri, Platte Counties in Missouri, wit ...

operates two library branches in Blue Springs. Missouri Town 1855 is located nearby.

Parks and recreation

Fleming Park is contains Blue Springs Lake and Lake Jacomo. Fleming Park's total land area is of which is water. Blue Springs Field House is located here.

Government

The City of Blue Springs has a Mayor-Council-Administrator form of government as set forth in the Home Rule City Charter. The City Council is the governing body of the city, elected by the public. The City Administrator is appointed by the City Council and is responsible for the implementation of policies and decisions made by the mayor and city council. The elected governing body is composed of a mayor and six councilpersons.

Education

Blue Springs is served by three public schools districts:
Text list
/ref> * Blue Springs R-IV School District (the vast majority of the municipality *

Lee's Summit R-VII School District The Lee's Summit R-7 School District is a school district located in Missouri and in the Kansas City metropolitan area. The district is mostly in Jackson County, Missouri, Jackson County. There, it has large segments of Lee's Summit, Missouri ...

* Grain Valley R-V School District Private schools: *Timothy Lutheran Schools, K-8, North Campus *St. John Lalande Catholic School, K-8 *Plaza Heights Christian Academy, PreK-12 Metropolitan Community College has the Blue Springs, Grain Valley, and Lee's Summit school districts in its in-district taxation area.

Media

* '' The Examiner'', Eastern Jackson County Daily Newspaper. Also known as the ''Blue Springs Examiner'' * ''

The Kansas City Star ''The Kansas City Star'' is a newspaper based in Kansas City, Missouri. Published since 1880, the paper is the recipient of eight Pulitzer Prizes. ''The Star'' is most notable for its influence on the career of President Harry S. Truman and a ...

'' * The Blue Springs Magazine

Infrastructure

Transportation

* The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, KCATA provides public bus services to Blue Springs. *

Interstate 70 Interstate 70 (I-70) is a major east–west Interstate Highway in the United States that runs from Interstate 15, I-15 near Cove Fort, Utah, to Interstate 695 (Maryland), I-695 and Maryland Route 570 (MD 570) in Woodlawn, Baltimo ...

- Major east–west interstate highway, connecting Blue Springs to

, Columbia, and

St. Louis St. Louis ( , sometimes referred to as St. Louis City, Saint Louis or STL) is an independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It lies near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a populatio ...

* US 40 -Connects

Independence Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state, in which residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory. The opposite of independence is the status of ...

and then enters Blue Springs at Bolin Road to the west, then east of Adams Dairy Parkway enters Grain Valley. * Route 7 - Links U.S. 24 Hwy with Blue Springs by first traveling through

entering Blue Springs at Pink Hill Road and is the main north/south Highway through Blue Springs, leaving Blue Springs at Colbern Road and entering Lake Lotawana then Pleasant Hill and Harrisonville. * Adams Dairy Parkway is an important trafficway that runs from the north to south through Blue Springs.

Public safety

*The city has a municipal police department. *Fire and ambulance service for most of Blue Springs is performed by Central Jackson County Fire Protection District. The department was formed in 1961 and is an Accredited Fire Agency by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International.

Notable people

* Doug Terry - Former NFL player for the

Kansas City Chiefs The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) West division. Established in 1959 ...

* Ladell Betts - Former NFL player for the

Washington Redskins The Washington Commanders are a professional American football team based in the Washington metropolitan area. The Commanders compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC East, East ...

and the

New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans. The Saints compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South division. Since 1975, the team ...

* Khristian Boyd, NFL defensive tackle for the

* Donald Stephenson - Former NFL player for the

Denver Broncos The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver. The Broncos compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC West, West division. The team is headquartered in E ...

, and the

Cleveland Browns The Cleveland Browns are a professional American football team based in Cleveland. The Browns compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. The team is named after ...

* Jimmy Redmond - Former NFL player for the

Jacksonville Jaguars The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC South, South division. The team ...

Brandon Lloyd Brandon Matthew Lloyd (born July 5, 1981) is an American former professional American football, football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini football, ...

- NFL player for

San Francisco 49ers The San Francisco 49ers (also written as the San Francisco Forty-Niners and nicknamed the Niners) are a professional American football team based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The 49ers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member ...

* Khalil Davis - NFL player for the

Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (colloquially known as the Bucs) are a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC S ...

* Carlos Davis - NFL player for the

Pittsburgh Steelers The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh. The Steelers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. Founded in 1933 P ...

Darrius Shepherd Darrius Allen Shepherd (born November 1, 1995) is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football at North Dakota State Bison football, North Dakota State, and was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as a ...

- NFL player for the

Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. They ar ...

* Elijah Lee - NFL player for the

Detroit Lions The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit. The Lions compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. The team plays their home game ...

* Deiondre' Hall - NFL player for the

* Jim Eisenreich - Former MLB player for

Twins Twins are two offspring produced by the same pregnancy.MedicineNet > Definition of Twin Last Editorial Review: 19 June 2000 Twins can be either ''monozygotic'' ('identical'), meaning that they develop from one zygote, which splits and forms two e ...

, Royals, Phillies, and Marlins and 1997 World Series champion * Nick Tepesch - MLB player for the Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, and Toronto Blue Jays. * Terry Gautreaux - Taekwondo, bronze medalist in

1992 Summer Olympics The 1992 Summer Olympics (, ), officially the Games of the XXV Olympiad (, ) and officially branded as Barcelona '92, were an international multi-sport event held from 25 July to 9 August 1992 in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Beginning in 1994 ...

Rockhurst.edu University Community News, February 21, 2014 * Steve Harris -

NBA The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada). The NBA is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Ca ...

player and

University of Tulsa The University of Tulsa (TU) is a Private university, private research university in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It has a historic affiliation with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Presbyterian Church, although it is now nondenominational, and the campus ...

basketball standout * Jon Sundvold -

player and

University of Missouri The University of Missouri (Mizzou or MU) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Columbia, Missouri, United States. It is Missouri's largest university and the flagship of the four-campus Univers ...

basketball standout * Jeff Mittie - women's basketball head coach, Kansas State * Ivana Hong - alternate Olympic gymnast, Beijing 2008 * Terin Humphrey - Olympic gymnast, Athens 2004 * Tonya Knight - IFBB professional bodybuilder * Courtney McCool - Olympic gymnast, Athens 2004 * Josh Watson - NFL Player for the

Carolina Panthers The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South division. The t ...

* Justin Pitts - Professional Basketball player for HLA Alicante of the Spanish LEB Plata. * Kendall Blanton - NFL Player for the

Los Angeles Rams The Los Angeles Rams are a professional American football team based in the Greater Los Angeles, Greater Los Angeles area. The Rams compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC West, West ...

* David Cook - winner of ''

American Idol ''American Idol'' is an American Music competition, singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle (company), Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It a ...

'' Season 7

References

External links

*
City of Blue Springs Official City Website
* Historic maps of Blue Springs in th

at the

{{Authority control Cities in Jackson County, Missouri Cities in Kansas City metropolitan area Populated places established in 1880 1880 establishments in Missouri Cities in Missouri