KANSAS 3 : Kansas City region - Overland Park; Lawrence

Bordering Missouri in eastern Kansas, the 3rd differs markedly from the state's other districts. Geographically compact, it is almost entirely within the metropolitan sphere of Kansas City, Mo. Most of its population lives in the suburbs of Johnson County, Kansas City, Kan., and Lawrence (home to the U. of Kansas).

The district is hardly uniform in its economic character. Johnson County is one of the state's richest, with company headquarters, suburban developments and a strong service sector. But poverty and unemployment are prevalent in Kansas City itself and surrounding Wyandotte County. The remaining counties, Douglas and Miami, are rural and primarily agrarian.

The 3rd is a swing district, and many of its counties contrast politically. Wealthy Johnson County is a Republican stronghold, and with more than 400,000 residents, a dominant force in the 3rd. Miami County also votes Republican. Democrats are strong in Wyandotte County, outnumbering Republicans about 3-to-1, and in parts of Douglas County around the U. of Kansas.

Major Industry
Long-distance phone service, auto manufacturing, accounting

Population
619,445 (1990)

Cities
Kansas City, 142,654 (1996); Overland Park, 139,840 (1998); Lawrence, 71,887 (1996)

People
88% urban; 10% age 65+ (ranks fourth of four in state; bottom third nationally); 57% married couples, 28% married couples with children; 31% college educated (ranks first of four in state; top third nationally); 68% white collar (ranks first of four in state, top third nationally), 20% blue collar (ranks fourth of four in state; bottom third nationally) (1990)

Race
87% white, 9% black, 2% Asian; 3% Hispanic origin (1990)

Median Household Income
$34,275 (ranks first of four in state; top third nationally) (1990)

Unusual Features
Actor Edward Asner from Kansas City; James Naismith, inventor of basketball, U. of Kansas' first coach and the only one with a losing record.

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