Editing Independence, Missouri

{{Use American English|date=December 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Independence, Missouri
| settlement_type          = [[List of cities in Missouri|City]]
| nickname                 = 
| motto                    = 
<!-- Images -->
| image_skyline            = Jackson County Courthouse Independence MO-cropped.jpg
| imagesize                = 
| image_caption            = [[Jackson County Courthouse (Independence, Missouri)|Jackson County Courthouse]] in Independence
| image_flag               = 
| image_seal               = 
<!-- Maps -->
| image_map                = Jackson_County_Missouri_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Independence_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize                  = 260px
| map_caption              = Location of Independence in [[Missouri]]
| image_map1               = 
| mapsize1                 = 
| map_caption1             = 
<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = United States
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[Missouri]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Missouri|County]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Jackson County, Missouri|Jackson]]
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = 
| leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name              = [[Rory Rowland]]
| leader_title1            = City Manager
| leader_name1             = Zachary C. Walker 
| established_title        = Founded
| established_date         = March 29, 1827

<!-- Area -->
| unit_pref                = Imperial
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=August 28, 2022}}</ref>
| area_magnitude           = 
| area_total_km2           = 203.10
| area_land_km2            = 201.93
| area_water_km2           = 1.17
| area_total_sq_mi         = 78.42
| area_land_sq_mi          = 77.97
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.45

<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_total         = 123011
| population_density_km2   = 609.17
| population_density_sq_mi = 1577.75
| population_demonym       = Independencian

<!-- General information -->
| timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset               = &minus;6
| timezone_DST             = CDT
| utc_offset_DST           = &minus;5
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft             = 863
| coordinates              = {{Coord|39|04|42|N|94|25|10|W|region:US-MO_type:city(123,000)|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]s
| postal_code              = 64050–64058
| area_code                = [[Area codes 816 and 975|816, 975]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 29-35000<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 2395422<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2395422}}</ref>
| website                  = {{URL|http://www.indepmo.org}}
| footnotes                = 
| named_for                = [[United States Declaration of Independence|The Declaration of Independence]]
| pop_est_as_of            = 
| pop_est_footnotes        = 
| population_est           = 
}}

'''Independence''' is the [[county seat]] of [[Jackson County, Missouri]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> It is a [[satellite city]] of [[Kansas City, Missouri]], and is the largest [[suburb]] on the Missouri side of the [[Kansas City metropolitan area]]. In [[2020 United States census|2020]], it had a total population of 123,011 people, making it the [[List of cities in Missouri|fifth-most populous city in Missouri]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/independencecitymissouri/PST045219 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref>

Independence is known as the "Queen City of the Trails"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usacitiesonline.com/mocountyindependence.htm|title=Independence}}</ref> because it was a point of departure for the [[California Trail|California]], [[Oregon Trail|Oregon]], and [[Santa Fe Trail]]s. It is the hometown of U.S. President [[Harry S. Truman]], with the [[Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum|Truman Presidential Library and Museum]], and the gravesites of Truman and [[First Lady of the United States|First Lady]] [[Bess Truman]]. The city is sacred to the [[Latter Day Saint movement]], as the home of [[Joseph Smith]]'s 1831 [[Temple Lot]], and the headquarters of several Mormon denominations.

==History==
Independence was originally inhabited by [[Siouan|Missouri]] and [[Osage Nation|Osage]] Native Americans, followed by the Spanish and a brief French tenure. It became part of the United States with the [[Louisiana Purchase]] in 1803. [[Lewis and Clark]] recorded in their journals that they stopped in 1804 to pick plums, raspberries, and wild apples at a site that would later form part of the city. Independence was also a stopping point for the "[[Donner Party]]", an ill-fated group of 19th-century [[wagon train]] emigrants whose westward journey along the [[California Trail]] ended in disaster, spawning one of the most well known and taboo stories of pioneer-era America.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Donner party {{!}} History, Facts, & Survivors|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Donner-party|access-date=July 21, 2020|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref>

Named after the [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]], Independence was founded on March 29, 1827,<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RfAuAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA177 | title=How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named | publisher=The State Historical Society of Missouri | author=Eaton, David Wolfe | year=1916 | pages=177}}</ref> and quickly became an important [[American Frontier|frontier town]]. Independence was the farthest point westward on the [[Missouri River]] where the [[steamboats]] or other cargo vessels could travel, due to the convergence of the [[Kansas River]] with the Missouri River approximately six miles west of town, near the current [[Kansas]]-Missouri border. Independence immediately became a jumping-off point for the emerging [[fur trade]], accommodating merchants and adventurers beginning the long trek westward on the Santa Fe Trail.

[[File:"lndependence-Courthouse-Missouri.", 1855 - NARA - 513335.jpg|thumb|Engraving of the Courthouse in Independence, 1855]]
In 1831, members of the [[Latter Day Saint movement]] began moving to the Jackson County, Missouri area. Shortly thereafter, founder [[Joseph Smith]] declared a [[Temple Lot|spot west of the Courthouse Square]] to be the place for his prophesied temple of the [[New Jerusalem]], in expectation of the [[Second Coming of Christ]]. Tension grew with local Missourians until the [[Latter Day Saints]] were [[Expulsion of Mormons from Jackson County, Missouri|driven from the area]] in 1833, the beginning of a conflict which culminated in the [[1838 Mormon War]]. Several branches of this movement gradually returned to the city beginning in 1867, with many making their headquarters there. These include the [[Community of Christ]] (formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), the [[Church of Christ (Temple Lot)]], the [[Church of Jesus Christ (Cutlerite)]] and the [[Restoration Branches]].

Independence saw great prosperity from the late 1830s through the mid-1840s, while the business of outfitting pioneers boomed. Between 1848 and 1868, it was a hub of the [[California Trail]]. On March 8, 1849, the [[Missouri General Assembly]] granted a [[home-rule]] [[charter]] to the town and on July 18, 1849, William McCoy was elected as its first mayor. In the mid-19th century an Act of the [[United States Congress]] defined Independence as the start of the [[Oregon Trail]].

[[File:Oregontrail 1907.jpg|thumb|A map of the Oregon Trail, marking Independence.]]
[[File:Trumanhist.JPG|thumb|Harry S. Truman's Independence home, now part of the [[Harry S. Truman National Historic Site]].]]

Two important Civil War battles occurred at Independence: the [[First Battle of Independence|first]] on August 11, 1862, when [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] soldiers took control of the town, and the [[Second Battle of Independence|second]] in October 1864, which resulted in a Union victory. The war took its toll on Independence, and the town was never able to regain its previous prosperity, although a flurry of building activity took place soon after the war. The rise of nearby [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]] also contributed to the town's relegation to a place of secondary prominence in Jackson County, though Independence has retained its position as county seat to the present day.

United States President [[Harry S. Truman]] grew up in Independence and, in 1922, was elected judge of the Court of Jackson County, Missouri (an administrative, not judicial, post). Although he was defeated for reelection in 1924, he won back the office in 1926 and was reelected in 1930. Truman performed his duties diligently, and won personal acclaim for several popular public works projects, including an extensive series of fine roads for the growing use of automobiles, the building of a new County Court building in Independence, and a series of 12 ''[[Madonna of the Trail]]'' monuments to pioneer women dedicated across the country in 1928 and 1929. He would later return to the city after two terms as president. His wife, [[First Lady of the United States|First Lady]] [[Bess Truman]], was born and raised in Independence, and both are buried there. The [[Harry S. Truman National Historic Site]] (Truman's home) and the [[Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum]] are both located in Independence, as is one of Truman's boyhood residences.

==Geography==
Independence is located on the south bank of the [[Missouri River]], near the western edge of the state. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|78.25|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|77.57|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.68|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=July 8, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112090031/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=January 12, 2012 }}</ref>

{{Weather box
 | width       = auto
 | collapsed   = yes
 | single line = yes
 | location    = Independence, Missouri (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1973–2021)
 | Jan record high F  = 74
 | Feb record high F  = 79
 | Mar record high F  = 87
 | Apr record high F  = 94
 | May record high F  = 93
 | Jun record high F  = 103
 | Jul record high F  = 104
 | Aug record high F  = 109
 | Sep record high F  = 103
 | Oct record high F  = 94
 | Nov record high F  = 82
 | Dec record high F  = 72
 | year record high F =

|Jan avg record high F = 62.2
|Feb avg record high F = 67.9
|Mar avg record high F = 77.6
|Apr avg record high F = 83.0
|May avg record high F = 87.8
|Jun avg record high F = 93.4
|Jul avg record high F = 96.9
|Aug avg record high F = 97.4
|Sep avg record high F = 92.3
|Oct avg record high F = 84.9
|Nov avg record high F = 72.6
|Dec avg record high F = 64.8
|year avg record high F = 99.3

 | Jan high F = 37.6
 | Feb high F = 43.0
 | Mar high F = 54.5
 | Apr high F = 64.6
 | May high F = 73.9
 | Jun high F = 82.9
 | Jul high F = 86.9
 | Aug high F = 86.0
 | Sep high F = 78.4
 | Oct high F = 66.5
 | Nov high F = 53.0
 | Dec high F = 41.8
 | year high F = 64.1
 | Jan mean F = 28.4
 | Feb mean F = 33.1
 | Mar mean F = 43.5
 | Apr mean F = 53.6
 | May mean F = 63.8
 | Jun mean F = 73.2
 | Jul mean F = 77.4
 | Aug mean F = 75.8
 | Sep mean F = 67.7
 | Oct mean F = 55.8
 | Nov mean F = 43.3
 | Dec mean F = 32.9
 | year mean F = 54.0
 | Jan low F = 19.2
 | Feb low F = 23.1
 | Mar low F = 32.6
 | Apr low F = 42.6
 | May low F = 53.7
 | Jun low F = 63.5
 | Jul low F = 67.8
 | Aug low F = 65.7
 | Sep low F = 57.0
 | Oct low F = 45.1
 | Nov low F = 33.5
 | Dec low F = 23.9
 | year low F = 44.0

|Jan avg record low F = -0.1
|Feb avg record low F = 6.3
|Mar avg record low F = 15.1
|Apr avg record low F = 28.1
|May avg record low F = 40.7
|Jun avg record low F = 51.7
|Jul avg record low F = 58.7
|Aug avg record low F = 56.7
|Sep avg record low F = 43.3
|Oct avg record low F = 29.7
|Nov avg record low F = 17.7
|Dec avg record low F = 6.2
|year avg record low F = -3.3

 | Jan record low F  = -16
 | Feb record low F  = -13
 | Mar record low F  = -5
 | Apr record low F  = 14
 | May record low F  = 30
 | Jun record low F  = 43
 | Jul record low F  = 50
 | Aug record low F  = 43
 | Sep record low F  = 33
 | Oct record low F  = 20
 | Nov record low F  = 1
 | Dec record low F  = -14
 | year record low F = 
 | precipitation colour   = green
 | Jan precipitation inch = 1.50
 | Feb precipitation inch = 1.86
 | Mar precipitation inch = 2.88
 | Apr precipitation inch = 4.43
 | May precipitation inch = 5.99
 | Jun precipitation inch = 5.28
 | Jul precipitation inch = 5.11
 | Aug precipitation inch = 5.06
 | Sep precipitation inch = 4.77
 | Oct precipitation inch = 3.54
 | Nov precipitation inch = 2.40
 | Dec precipitation inch = 1.84
 | year precipitation inch = 44.66
 | unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
 | Jan precipitation days  = 6.8
 | Feb precipitation days  = 6.2
 | Mar precipitation days  = 9.6
 | Apr precipitation days  = 10.9
 | May precipitation days  = 13.3
 | Jun precipitation days  = 9.9
 | Jul precipitation days  = 10.0
 | Aug precipitation days  = 9.2
 | Sep precipitation days  = 8.6
 | Oct precipitation days  = 8.7
 | Nov precipitation days  = 6.8
 | Dec precipitation days  = 6.9
 | year precipitation days = 106.9
 | Jan snow inch = 3.6
 | Feb snow inch = 2.6
 | Mar snow inch = 1.7
 | Apr snow inch = 0.2
 | May snow inch = 0.0
 | Jun snow inch = 0.0
 | Jul snow inch = 0.0
 | Aug snow inch = 0.0
 | Sep snow inch = 0.0
 | Oct snow inch = 0.4
 | Nov snow inch = 1.2
 | Dec snow inch = 3.5
 | year snow inch = 13.2
 | unit snow days = 0.1 in
 | Jan snow days  = 3.0
 | Feb snow days  = 2.1
 | Mar snow days  = 1.1
 | Apr snow days  = 0.2
 | May snow days  = 0.0
 | Jun snow days  = 0.0
 | Jul snow days  = 0.0
 | Aug snow days  = 0.0
 | Sep snow days  = 0.0
 | Oct snow days  = 0.0
 | Nov snow days  = 0.2
 | Dec snow days  = 2.8
 | year snow days = 10.0
 | source = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]<ref name="NOWData">{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=eax
|title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = November 20, 2023}}</ref><ref name="NCEI">{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00234154&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = November 20, 2023}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 3164
|1870= 3184
|1880= 3146
|1890= 6380
|1900= 6974
|1910= 9859
|1920= 11686
|1930= 15296
|1940= 16066
|1950= 36963
|1960= 62328
|1970= 111630
|1980= 111806
|1990= 112295
|2000= 113288
|2010= 116830
|2020= 123011
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 26, 2014}}</ref><br />2018 Estimate<ref name="2018 Pop Estimate">{{cite web|title=Population Estimates|url=https://census.gov/data/tables/2018/demo/popest/total-cities-and-towns.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=June 8, 2018}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
The [[2020 United States census]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov| access-date=2023-12-17 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> counted 123,011 people, 48,836 households, and 28,955 families in Independence. The population density was {{convert|1,577.7|/mi2|/km2}}. There were 54,120 housing units at an average density of {{convert|694.1|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup (including Hispanics in the racial counts) was 72.61% (89,323) [[White (U.S. Census)|white]], 8.68% (10,678) [[African American (U.S. Census)|black or African-American]], 0.76% (936) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.19% (1,468) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.67% (826) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 5.52% (6,795) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 10.56% (12,985) from two or more races.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}} [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race was 12.2% (15,042) of the population.<ref name=2020CensusP2/>

Of the 48,836 households, 24.0% had children under the age of 18; 40.1% were married couples living together; 33.0% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 33.5% consisted of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.4, and the average family size was 3.1.

21.5% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 91.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 89.4 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year [[American Community Survey]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov|access-date=2023-12-17|website=data.census.gov}}</ref> estimates show that the median household income was $50,797 (with a margin of error of +/- $1,935) and the median family income was $64,271 (+/- $2,089). Males had a median income of $40,007 (+/- $1,690) versus $26,762 (+/- $1,098) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $32,462 (+/- $1,353). Approximately, 11.2% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 23.3% of those under the age of 18 and 7.1% of those ages 65 or over.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Independence, Missouri – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br /><small>{{nobold|''Note: the U.S. census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Independence city, Missouri |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US2935000&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=}}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web |title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Independence city, Missouri|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US2935000&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2 |website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web |title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Independence city, Missouri|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US2935000&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|102,040
|96,086
|style='background: #ffffe6; |85,754
|90.07%
|82.24%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |69.71%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|2,874
|6,265
|style='background: #ffffe6; |10,345
|2.54%
|5.36%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |8.41%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|647
|601
|style='background: #ffffe6; |609
|0.57%
|0.51%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.50%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|783
|1,114
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,444
|0.69%
|0.95%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1.17%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|508
|771
|style='background: #ffffe6; |796
|0.45%
|0.66%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.65%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Some Other Race]] alone (NH)
|119
|87
|style='background: #ffffe6; |507
|0.11%
|0.07%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.41%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed Race or Multi-Racial]] (NH)
|2,142
|2,907
|style='background: #ffffe6; |8,514
|1.89%
|2.49%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |6.92%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|4,175
|8,999
|style='background: #ffffe6; |15,042
|3.69%
|7.70%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |12.23%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''113,288'''
|'''116,830'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''123,011'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=July 8, 2012}}</ref> of 2010, there were 116,830 people, 48,742 households, and 30,165 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1506.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 53,834 housing units at an average density of {{convert|694.0|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 
* 85.7% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 
* 5.6% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 
* 0.6% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 
* 1.0% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 
* 0.7% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] alone (1.0% Pacific Islander alone or in combination with one or more other races), 
* 3.2% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 3.2% from two or more races. 
* [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 7.7% of the population. 
* [[Non-Hispanic Whites]] were 82.2% of the population,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/29/2935000.html |title=Independence (city), Missouri |work=State & County QuickFacts |publisher=United States Census Bureau |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905064632/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/29/2935000.html |archive-date=September 5, 2015 }}</ref> down from 98.4% in 1970.<ref>{{cite web|title=Missouri&nbsp;— Race and Hispanic Origin for Selected Cities and Other Places: Earliest Census to 1990 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120812191959/http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html |archive-date=August 12, 2012 }}</ref>

There were 48,742 households, of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.1% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37, and the average family size was 2.97.

The median age in the city was 39.4 years. 23% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.9% were from 25 to 44; 27.4% were from 45 to 64; and 16.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.0% male and 52.0% female.

===2000 census===
As of the census<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 113,288 people, 47,390 households, and 30,566 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,446.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|adj=off}}. There were 50,213 housing units at an average density of {{convert|641.1|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. Independence has a population of 111,806 in 1980 and 112,301 in 1990.<ref>Encyclopedia of American History</ref> The racial makeup of the city was 91.87% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 2.59% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.70% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.64% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.46% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.43% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.31% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 3.69% of the population.

There were 47,390 households, out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37, and the average family size was 2.93.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.9% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $38,012, and the median income for a family was $45,876. Males had a median income of $34,138 versus $25,948 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,384. About 6.4% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 11.8% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.

===Religion===
Independence played an important role in the early history of the [[Latter Day Saint movement]] and is home to the headquarters of several separatist denominations of the [[Latter Day Saint movement]], most notably the [[Community of Christ]] (formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), whose [[Independence Temple|Temple]] is located there. Other Latter Day Saint denominations headquartered in the city include the [[Church of Christ (Temple Lot)]] and the [[Church of Jesus Christ (Cutlerite)]], among others. A number of [[Restoration Branches]] are also located in and around Independence, and [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] maintains [[LDS Visitors Center, Independence, Missouri|a&nbsp;visitor center]] in the town.

The Community of Christ has built a [[Independence Temple|temple in Independence]], and also maintains a large [[Auditorium (Community of Christ)|auditorium]] and other buildings nearby. [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] operates a sizable visitors' center adjacent to the Community of Christ Temple, and across the street from the original [[Temple Lot]] designated by Joseph Smith in 1830. The Lot itself is occupied by a small white-frame church building that serves as the headquarters and local meeting house for the Church of Christ (Temple Lot).

There are five Catholic churches and several Episcopal churches in Independence.

One of the oldest churches in Independence is the First Presbyterian Church, founded in 1826.<ref name=truman>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ci.independence.mo.us/UserDocs/ComDev/HistoricPreservation/TrumanEventGuide.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=April 14, 2015 |archive-date=September 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923203218/http://www.ci.independence.mo.us/UserDocs/ComDev/HistoricPreservation/TrumanEventGuide.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was here in 1890 that Harry Truman first met Elizabeth (Bess) Wallace.<ref name=truman/><ref name=trumLib>{{cite web|url=http://www.trumanlibrary.org/bwt-bio.htm|title=Truman: Bess Truman's Biography}}</ref> Truman eventually married her after his return from World War I in 1919.<ref name=trumLib/>

==Economy==

===Top employers===
According to the town's 2016 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,<ref name="2015CAFR">{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.independence.mo.us/UserDocs/Finance/BudgetDownloads/2016/2015-16-Financial-Report.pdf|title=Independence 2015 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report|access-date=February 27, 2017}}</ref> the top employers in the city are:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Employer
! Employees
|-
||1
|[[Independence Public School District|Independence School District]]
|2,200
|-
|2
|[[Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems]]
|1,722
|-
|3
|[[Centerpoint Medical Center]]
|1,400
|-
|4
|City of Independence
|1,097
|-
|5
|[[GEHA|Government Employee Health Association]]
|743
|-
|6
|Rosewood Health Center at the Groves
|444
|-
|7
|Burd & Fletcher
|274
|-
|8
|Jackson County Circuit Court
|274
|-
|9
|Cable Dahmer Automotive
|271
|-
|10
|[[Unilever]]
|260
|}

==Government==
{{see also|List of mayors of Independence, Missouri}}

The Independence City Council is made up of six members. Four are elected to represent one of the city districts, and the other two are elected by the city as a whole. The City Mayor also sits on the City Council and serves as the "Head of Government" for the city, The Mayor can vote on legislation with the council but does not have the right to veto. Members serve a four-year term, beginning on January 1 following the election. The current mayor is Rory Rowland, a [[Missouri Democratic Party|Democrat]], elected in 2022.<ref>{{cite web |title=Independence City Council |url=http://www.ci.independence.mo.us/CityCouncil |website=City of Independence |access-date=January 29, 2021}}</ref>

The Independence Municipal Court is currently seated by two members. Judges are appointed by the City Mayor and serve a 4-year term. Judges may be reappointed for multiple terms by the Mayor or the City Council.<ref>{{cite web |title=Independence Municipal Court |url=http://www.ci.independence.mo.us/MuniCourt/ |website=City of Independence |access-date=February 9, 2021}}</ref>

==Education==

===Primary and secondary===
[[File:VHHS2011.jpg|thumb|[[Van Horn High School (Missouri)|Van Horn High School]] after the 2011 renovation.]]
Four school districts have areas within the city: [[Independence Public School District|Independence]], [[Blue Springs R-IV School District|Blue Springs]], [[Fort Osage R-1 School District|Fort Osage]] Schools, and [[Raytown C-2 School District|Raytown]].<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20111116045007/http://www.ci.independence.mo.us/UserDocs/MapsPDF/Schooldist_future.pdf School Districts]." City of Independence. Retrieved on January 5, 2017.</ref>

Prior to Fall 2008, parts of western Independence in the Van Horn feeder pattern resided in the [[Kansas City, Missouri School District]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-32978200_ITM|title=Apps - Access My Library - Gale}}</ref> but all of these students are now part of the Independence school district.

Three public high schools are located within the city limits:
* [[Truman High School (Independence, Missouri)|Truman High School]]
* [[Van Horn High School (Missouri)|Van Horn High School]]
* [[William Chrisman High School]]

Two private high schools within the city limits:
* [[Center Place Restoration School]]
* [[Family Christian Academy (Missouri)|Family Christian Academy]]
* [[Fort Osage High School]] is adjacent to but not inside the city limits.

===Colleges and universities===
* [[Metropolitan Community College (Kansas City)|Blue River Community College]], part of the [[Metropolitan Community College (Kansas City)|Metropolitan Community College]] system.
* [[Graceland University]], Independence campus. Main campus is in [[Lamoni, Iowa]].

===Libraries===
[[File:Midwest Genealogy Center 1.jpg|thumb|Midwest Genealogy Center]]
* [[Midwest Genealogy Center]], the largest stand-alone public [[genealogy]] research library in America.
* [[The Center for the Study of the Korean War]], the largest [[Korean War]] archive in the U.S., at Graceland University.
* [[Merrill J. Mattes Research Library]], focused on the Overland Trails, and the settlement of the American West. Located at the National Frontier Trails Museum.
* Truman Library Research Center, at the [[Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum]].
* Jackson County Historical Society Archives & Research Library.
* [[Mid-Continent Public Library]] operates two general library branches in Independence.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mymcpl.org/locations | title=Locations | publisher=Mid-Continent Public Library | access-date=March 17, 2018}}</ref>
* [[Kansas City Public Library]] operates the Trails West Branch in Independence.

==Media==

===Newspapers===
* ''[[The Examiner (Independence)|The Examiner]]'', Eastern Jackson County's daily newspaper. It is also referred to as ''The Independence Examiner''.
* ''[[The Kansas City Star]]''

===Television===
* [[KSMO-TV]] 62 – [[My Network TV]] affiliate operates a transmitter tower in western Independence, south of MO-12/Truman Rd.

===Magazines===
*''[[Space and Time (magazine)|Space and Time]]'', speculative fiction magazine

==Culture==
[[File:SouthMainStreetIndependenceMO.jpg|thumb|South Main Street in Independence]]
Santa-Cali-Gon Days is an annual [[Labor Day]] festival held in Independence intermittently since 1940 and continuously since 1973, celebrating the city's heritage as a starting point of three major frontier trails: the [[Santa Fe Trail|Santa Fe]], [[California Trail|California]], and [[Oregon Trail|Oregon]]. Another popular annual festival is the Vaile Strawberry Festival, which is held on the first Saturday of June at the Vaile Mansion, 1500 N. Liberty, five blocks north of the historic Square. The Independence Heritage Festival is a celebration of the diverse culture that exist in Independence. The Independence town square features numerous family-owned shops surrounding the old main [[Jackson County Courthouse (Independence, Missouri)|courthouse]], which was modeled after [[Philadelphia]]'s [[Independence Hall]]. This courthouse houses Harry S. Truman's former courtroom and office.

===Museums===
* [[National Frontier Trails Museum]], 416 W. Maple: Museum and interpretive center dedicated to the history of the [[Westward Expansion Trails]] and the settlement of the [[Western United States|American West]]. Independence, also known as the Queen City of the Trails, hosted thousands of settlers, pioneers, soldiers and merchants as they prepared to cross the plans along one of three trails: the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon. The museum offers film, a children's activity room, artifacts, journal entries, maps, and covered wagons, among other highlights.<ref>{{cite web |title=National Frontier Trails Museum |url=https://www.nps.gov/places/000/national-frontier-trails-museum.htm |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=8 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=National Frontier Trails Museum |url=https://www.independencemo.gov/government/city-departments/parks-recreation-and-tourism/national-frontier-trails-museum |publisher=City of Independence, MO |access-date=8 January 2024}}</ref>
* [[Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum]]: Official library of the 33rd U.S. president, located at 500 U.S. Highway 24. Hailed as America's "best presidential museum" by the ''Dallas Morning News'', the Truman Library offers theaters, a museum, store, and interactive hands-on exhibits together with a Decision Theater. The museum contains a colorful mural by [[Thomas Hart Benton (painter)|Thomas Hart Benton]], ''[[Independence and the Opening of the West]]'', together with a reproduction of the Oval Office. The courtyard contains the graves of Harry, Bess and their daughter Margaret. The museum seeks to educate patrons about the major world-shaping decisions that Truman was involved in as president, together with details of his personal life. The lower level offers an area where children can dress up like Harry and Bess, explore "feely" boxes, engage in an interactive computerized race, sort mail, make campaign buttons and posters and play a trivia game.
* Owens-Rogers Museum: 100 W. Moore Street: Museum dedicated to Hollywood screenwriter and producer [[Lela E. Rogers]] and Academy Award-winning actress [[Ginger Rogers]], who was born in this home in 1911. The home has been restored and reimagined as a museum with memorabilia, original movie posters, magazines, and items owned by Lela and Ginger Rogers. Visitors will learn the story of both women, who changed the pay scale for women in the motion picture industry. Special items on display include a gown worn by Ginger Rogers to the 1967 Academy Awards and her Key to the city. The home was declared a Historic Landmark Property by the City of Independence in 1994, when Ginger Rogers visited for her birthday celebration. The museum has special events and displays throughout the season. Open April - September. 
* [[Leila's Hair Museum]], 1333 S. Noland Road: Museum of Victorian-era art of hair jewelry and wreaths. The Hair Museum, believed to be the only one of its kind in the world, houses over 350 hair "wreaths" and 1,500 pieces of artwork or jewelry made partially or completely out of human hair.
* [[Puppetry Arts Institute]], 11025 E. Winner Road: This non-profit organization is home to hundreds of puppets and marionettes from around the world and features a collection of remnants from the world's largest puppet factory which used to be in neighboring Kansas City, which was owned and operated by famous toy puppet creator Hazelle Rollins. Visitors can use the puppet resource library and see changing museum displays. Children can choose a puppet head from the now-closed factory inventory, paint it with professional puppet paint, attach a body, and stage an impromptu performance on one of the institute's stages. Monthly puppet shows performed by professional puppeteers are also performed.
* [[Harry S. Truman National Historic Site]], 223 N. Main (visitor center); 219 N. Delaware (home). The Truman home is operated by the National Park Service. It allows visitors to see how President Truman and his wife, Bess, lived in their simple but comfortable "Summer White House". Left just as it was when the Trumans lived there, you'll see their dishes on the table, books and records on the shelf, and Harry's hat, coat and cane in the front entry.
* [[Jackson County Jail and Marshal's House|1859 Jail, Marshal's Home and Museum]], 217 N. Main. The dungeon-like cells of the 1859 Jail housed thousands of prisoners during the bloodiest period of Jackson County's history. Some of its famous guests included [[Frank James]] and [[William Clark Quantrill]]. Part of the exhibit details how the local marshal and his family lived in the adjoining Federal brick two-story home. An 1870s-era schoolhouse and museum completes the site. A "historic homes combo" discount ticket is available for use with the Bingham-Waggoner Estate and the Vaile Mansion. Closed for the winter from January through March.
* [[Bingham-Waggoner Estate]], 313 W. Pacific. Built in 1852 along the [[Santa Fe Trail]], this magnificent home was owned by famous [[American Civil War]] artist [[George Caleb Bingham]] and later belonged to the Waggoner family, founders of the Waggoner-Gates Mill. Extensively renovated in the 1890s, many furnishings and accessories from the era may be seen in the home. A gift shop is located in the [[carriage house]]. Closed for the winter from January through March. 
* Chicago and Alton Depot, 318 W. Pacific. Built in 1879, this wooden depot is believed to be the oldest two-story frame railroad depot remaining in Missouri. Filled with hundreds of railroad artifacts, it also served as the living quarters for the station master and his family on the upper level, which is furnished with period treasures. Closed January–March.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.chicagoalton1879depot.org/ |website=Chicago & Alton Depot |access-date=8 January 2024 |title=Home}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Chicago & Alton Depot is 130 years old |url=https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/2009/09/24/chicago-alton-depot-is-130/45460494007/ |access-date=8 January 2024 |work=The Topeka Capital-Journal |agency=The Examiner |date=24 September 2009}}</ref>
* [[Vaile Mansion]], 1500 N. Liberty. This thirty-one-room mansion was built by frontier business tycoon Harvey Vaile in 1881. Recognized as one of the finest examples of [[Second Empire architecture in the United States and Canada|Second Empire Victorian architecture]] in the U.S., the opulent estate boasted conveniences such as flushing toilets, a built-in 6,000-gallon water tank, painted woodwork and ceilings and nine different marble fireplaces. Closed for the winter from January through March.
* [[Community of Christ International Headquarters]]. The Temple, at 201 S. River, and The Auditorium, across the street at 1001 W. Walnut, serve as world headquarters for this Christian denomination of a quarter-million members. Tours of the Temple and Auditorium are free, and organ concerts on world class organs are held daily in summer and on Sundays from Labor day through Memorial Day. The site also offers a theater, sacred artwork and a meditation garden. The Children's Peace Pavilion in the Auditorium is a free hands-on interactive museum for children.
* [[LDS Visitors Center, Independence, Missouri|LDS Visitors Center]], 937 W. Walnut. Describes the roles played by [[Latter-day Saints]] during the early and tempestuous history of Independence. Offers flat screen visual presentations showing the arrival of early Saints, revelations, and their pioneer lives. Also offers rare artifacts and exhibits documenting the history and beliefs of modern Saints, known as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Free guided tours daily.

===Sports===
[[Metropolitan Community College (Kansas City)|Blue River Community College]] features a soccer program with a men's team and women's team. The Trailblazers (men) went all the way to the NJCAA Region 16 semifinals before concluding their season. The Lady Trailblazers (women) finished as runners up in the region. The [[Cable Dahmer Arena]] is home of the [[Kansas City Mavericks]], a minor-league [[ice hockey|hockey]] team in the [[ECHL]]. Silverstein Eye Centers Arena is also the home of [[Kansas City Comets (2010–)|Kansas City Comets]] of the [[Major Arena Soccer League]], the top level of professional indoor soccer. Crysler Stadium is the home of the [[collegiate summer baseball]] Independence Veterans of the [[Mid-Plains League]].

Local recreational sports teams include:
* [[Pop Warner Little Scholars]]
* [[American Legion Baseball]]
* Blue Valley Activity Center (BVAC)

YMCA and Parks and Recreation have programs for various sports for all people.

==Sister city==
In 1978, Independence gained [[Town twinning|sister city]] status with [[Higashimurayama]], [[Tokyo]], Japan.<ref name=sister>{{cite web|title=Japanese Sister City Program|url=http://www.ci.independence.mo.us/SisterCity/Default.aspx|publisher=Independence|access-date=May 5, 2014|archive-date=February 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201141937/http://www.ci.independence.mo.us/SisterCity/Default.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> Higashimurayama Street is south of Truman Rd. between Memorial Dr. and Lynn St., between City Hall and the Independence Square. This twinning is commemorated by a [[Zen garden]], near E Lexington Ave. and Memorial Dr.

==Infrastructure==

===Highways and roads===
* [[File:I-70.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 70 (Missouri)|Interstate 70]] – Major east–west interstate highway, connecting Independence to [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]], [[Columbia, Missouri|Columbia]], and [[St. Louis]].
* [[File:I-470.svg|25px]] [[Interstate 470 (Missouri)|Interstate 470]] – Follows MO-291 starting at 39th St./I-70 south into [[Lee's Summit]].
* [[File:I-435.svg|25px]] [[Interstate 435 (Missouri)|Interstate 435]] – Runs just outside the western city limits, between Independence and Kansas City.
* [[File:US 24.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 24 (Missouri)|U.S. Route 24]] – A major east/west U.S. highway that links Independence with Kansas City and [[Buckner, Missouri|Buckner]], and forms part of Independence's northern border with [[Sugar Creek, Missouri|Sugar Creek]]. It passes through the Fairmount Business District, by the Truman Presidential Library and Museum, by William Chrisman High School, and north of the Independence Square. Parts of U.S. 24 are known as Winner Road, and Independence Avenue.
* [[File:US 40.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 40 (Missouri)|U.S. Route 40]] – Connects Independence with Lee's Summit, [[Lake Tapawingo, Missouri|Lake Tapawingo]], and [[Blue Springs, Missouri|Blue Springs]], and forms part of Independence's southern border with Kansas City.
* [[File:MO-7.svg|20px]] [[Missouri Route 7|Route 7]] – Links U.S. 24 and Twyman Road (near Fort Osage High School) with Blue Springs, and passes by the [[Lake City Army Ammunition Plant]].
* [[File:MO-12.svg|20px]] [[Missouri Route 12|Route 12]] is a short highway that connects the Independence Square to [[I-435]] in Kansas City, and is commonly known as Truman Rd.
* [[File:MO-78.svg|20px]] [[Missouri Route 78|Route 78]] is an east–west highway that links Kansas City to MO-7, near the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant. Parts of MO-78 are known as 23rd St. (formerly E. Alton St.), and Lake City-Buckner Road.
* [[File:MO-291.svg|25px]] [[Missouri Route 291|Route 291]] – A minor north–south freeway, once designated as U.S. Route 71 Bypass, that links Independence to Lee's Summit, Sugar Creek, and [[Liberty, Missouri|Liberty]]. The [[Liberty Bend Bridge]] carries the highway across the [[Missouri River]]. I-470 carries the highway from I-70 south into Lee's Summit. Part of the former alignment, known as Old 71 Bypass, is a street in the Bass Pro area.
* [[Truman Road]] is a major [[arterial street]] that connects Independence with downtown Kansas City, and eastern unincorporated Jackson County. It passes by Van Horn High School, through the Maywood Business District, by President Harry S. Truman's house, and the Independence Square. Truman Road enters Independence with MO-12, and exits with State Route FF.

===Hospital===
* [[Centerpoint Medical Center]]

===Transportation===
* [[Independence (Amtrak station)|Amtrak Station]]
* [[Kansas City Area Transportation Authority]] (KCATA)

===Utilities===
Independence Power & Light (IPL) is a local electric power plant owned and operated by the city. It was established in 1901 and has undergone many changes and upgrades. One change was moving from the old Dodgion Street plant (where the Roger T. Sermon Center stands now) to the Blue Valley Plant near Truman Rd. and MO-78/Lake City-Buckner Rd. IPL also draws power from other sources: the [[Missouri City, Missouri|Missouri City]] Power Plant, and the [[Kansas City Power and Light Company]] (KCP&L), through several 69 and 161 kilovolt transmission interconnections. IPL has an "Out of Sight" power line burial program. After signing an agreement with TradeWind Energy in July 2008, IPL will begin purchasing annually 15 megawatts of renewable energy from the [[Smoky Hills Wind Farm]] (a wind turbine facility) in Kansas.

==Notable people==
* [[Phog Allen|Forrest "Phog" Allen]], [[University of Kansas|KU]] basketball coach, member of Hall of Fame; attended high school in Independence.
* [[John B. Arrington]], Utah state legislator.
* [[Rudy Bears]], professional mixed martial artist.
* [[George Caleb Bingham]], 19th century artist.
* [[James L. Boldridge]], celebrated African-American horse trainer 
* [[Jim Butcher]], [[New York Times Best Seller list|New York Times bestselling]] author.
* [[Teresa Carpenter]], [[Pulitzer Prize]]-winning journalist.
* [[Margaret Truman Daniel]], novelist, daughter of Harry and Bess Truman; born in Independence.
* [[Jim Eisenreich]], Major League Baseball player; lived in Independence.
* [[Fatal1ty]] (Jonathan Wendel), professional e-sports player.
* [[EJ Gaines]], football player for [[Missouri Tigers football|Missouri]] and NFL's [[Los Angeles Rams]].
* [[Marla Hanson]] (born June 18, 1961) American screenwriter, ex-model and victim of a slashing attack by two other men hired by her landlord in 1986.
* [[Paul Henning]], created TV series ''[[The Beverly Hillbillies]]'', ''[[Green Acres]]'', ''[[Petticoat Junction]]''; born in Independence.
* [[Sam Hildreth]], thoroughbred trainer; born in Independence.
* [[Daniel G. Hill]], sociology.
* [[Arliss Howard]], actor in films (''[[Full Metal Jacket]]'', ''[[The Lost World: Jurassic Park]]'', ''[[Natural Born Killers]]'', ''[[Moneyball (film)|Moneyball]]'') and TV (''[[Rubicon (TV series)|Rubicon]]'', ''[[Medium (TV series)|Medium]]''); born in Independence.
* [[Jared Huffman]], Congressman (CA-2), Democrat, was born in Independence and graduated from William Chrisman High School there.
* [[Sharon Kinne]], serial killer.
* [[Betty Lennox]], former player for the [[WNBA]].
* [[David McCullough]], author and historian, lived in Independence<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/12/garden/talking-history-with-david-mccullough-immersed-facts-better-imagine-harry-truman.html|title=TALKING HISTORY WITH: David McCullough; Immersed in Facts, The Better to Imagine Harry Truman's Life|date=August 12, 1992|work=The New York Times}}</ref> while writing and researching his [[Truman (book)|Pulitzer-winning biography]] of Harry Truman.
* [[Russ Morman]], [[Major League Baseball]] outfielder and first baseman, coach; born in Independence.
* [[John Noland]], black Confederate scout who served with Quantrill's Raiders, buried in Woodlawn cemetery.
* [[Ralph Peer]], record producer in [[List of Country Music Hall of Fame inductees|Country Music Hall of Fame]]; born in Independence.
* [[Austin Petersen]], 2016 presidential candidate.
* [[Chris Pitman]], [[Guns N' Roses]] keyboardist.
* [[Albert Pujols]], [[St. Louis Cardinals]] first baseman; attended high school in Independence.
* [[Ginger Rogers]], Academy Award-winning actress of musicals, dramas, and comedies; screen dancing partner of [[Fred Astaire]]; born in Independence.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2nVQAAAAIBAJ&pg=2128%2C5738668 | title=Small Towns Have Produced Many Big Stars | work=The Milwaukee Sentinel | date=November 27, 1969 | access-date=May 22, 2015 | author=Wilson, Earl | pages=A33 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* [[Charles E. Spahr]], CEO, [[Standard Oil of Ohio]].
* [[David Stover (racing driver)|David Stover]], [[NASCAR]] driver.
* [[Rick Sutcliffe]], [[Major League Baseball]] pitcher and TV commentator; born in Independence.
* [[Tech N9ne]] (Aaron Yates), rapper and [[Strange Music]] vice president.
* [[George M. Todd]], Confederate partisan ranger, buried in Woodlawn cemetery.
* [[Bess Truman]], 33rd [[First Lady of the United States]], was born in Independence.
* [[Harry S. Truman]], Vice President and [[33rd President of the United States]], was raised in Independence.
* [[Ron Wallace (singer)|Ron Wallace]], country music singer.
* [[Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear]], folk singers.
* [[Margaret Weis]], fantasy novelist.
* [[Cathay Williams]], female black Civil War soldier.
* [[Hiram Young]], self-freed slave turned wagon-building entrepreneur for the [[Oregon Trail]], "Kansas City's First Colored Man of Means".<ref name="Telegraph Means">{{cite news | newspaper=The Telegraph | date=February 28, 2016 | title=Hiram Young: Kansas City's First "Colored Man of Means" | first=Topher | last=Wilson | url=https://martincitytelegraph.com/2016/02/28/hiram-young-kansas-citys-first-colored-man-of-means/ | access-date=January 21, 2021}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|United States}}
* [[Independence Police Department (Missouri)|Independence Police Department]]
* [[Route of the Oregon Trail]]
* [[St. Joseph, Missouri]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{wikivoyage|Independence (Missouri)}}
* [http://www.ci.independence.mo.us/ City's official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040917080751/http://www.ci.independence.mo.us/ |date=September 17, 2004 }}
* [https://ichamber.biz/ Independence Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://dl.mospace.umsystem.edu/mu/islandora/object/mu%3A138830 Historic Sanborn Maps of Independence] from [[University of Missouri System|University of Missouri]] Digital Library
{{Independence, Missouri}}
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[[Category:Independence, Missouri| ]]
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