Independence, Missouri

Independence, Missouri
Location of Independence in Missouri
Coordinates: 39°04′42″N 94°25′10″W / 39.07833°N 94.41944°W / 39.07833; -94.41944
CountryUnited States
StateMissouri
CountyJackson
FoundedMarch 29, 1827
Named afterThe Declaration of Independence
Government
  MayorRory Rowland
  City ManagerZachary C. Walker
Area
  Total
78.42 sq mi (203.10 km2)
  Land77.97 sq mi (201.93 km2)
  Water0.45 sq mi (1.17 km2)
Elevation
863 ft (263 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total
123,011
  Density1,577.75/sq mi (609.17/km2)
DemonymIndependencian
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central (CST))
  Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Codes
64050–64058
Area code(s)816, 975
FIPS code29-35000
GNIS feature ID2395422
Websitewww.indepmo.org

Independence is a city in and one of two county seats of Jackson County, Missouri, United States. 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, it had a total population of 123,011, making it the fifth-most populous city in Missouri.

Independence is known as the "Queen City of the Trails" because it was a point of departure for the California, Oregon, and Santa Fe Trails. It is the hometown of U.S. President Harry S. Truman, with the Truman Presidential Library and Museum, and the gravesites of Truman and 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.