Kansas City, Mo., Lee’s Summit noted among U.S. cities with fastest economic growth

A number of Kansas City-area cities are included in WalletHub’s new ranking of the U.S. cities with the fastest economic growth. However, only three local cities ranked in the top half of the 515 municipalities evaluated.

Of the three cities, Lee’s Summit is the leader in economic growth, placing 44th among small cities and 148th overall. With an estimated population of 98,461, it’s also the smallest city in the metro to be ranked.

Overland Park placed 126th among midsize cities, which is defined as those with 100,000 to 300,000 people, and 226th overall. Kansas City, Mo., ranked 36th out of 66 large cities and 240th overall.

Olathe and Kansas City, Kan., fell just below the median in the personal finance website’s evaluation, which was published on Oct. 12. Olathe placed 149th among midsize cities and 270th overall. KCK ranked 167th among midsize cities and 304th overall.

The lowest-ranking city in the area on the overall list of 515 was Independence, which ranked No. 429. The city placed 219th out of 256 midsize cities.

Lee’s Summit and Overland Park ranked as the top cities in their respective states. St. Joseph ranked 500th overall — the lowest in Missouri — and 186th out of 193 small cities. Topeka placed 465th — the lowest in Kansas — and 233rd among midsize cities.