Independence, MO Demographics

A map of Independence's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	83,395	85,754	68.5%	69.7%
Hispanic	16,198	15,042	13.3%	12.2%
Black	12,948	10,345	10.6%	8.4%
Multiracial	6,336	8,514	5.2%	6.9%
Native American/Other	1,458	1,912	1.2%	1.6%
Asian	1,405	1,444	1.2%	1.2%

Independence, Missouri has an estimated population of 121,740, a slight decrease from the 123,011 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 68.5% White, 13.3% Hispanic, 10.6% Black, 5.2% Multiracial, 1.2% Asian, and 1.2% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Independence, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Independence has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Missouri overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Independence, that probability was 48.7% in 2020 and 49.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Independence is ranked the 5th most populous place in Missouri, out of 1,082 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Independence was ranked the 5th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Independence's White Population

83,395 residents of Independence, or 68.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Independence is lower than in Missouri overall, where 76.3% of the population is White. Independence ranks 977th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Independence's White population has declined by an estimated 2.8%. White residents' share of Independence's population has decreased from 69.7% to 68.5%.

Independence is less White than neighboring Sugar Creek (79.6% White), Lake Tapawingo (94.5% White), River Bend (100% White), Blue Springs (78.2% White), and Birmingham (94.2% White).

Independence's Black Population

12,948 residents of Independence, or 10.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Independence is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 10.9% of the population is Black. Independence ranks 114th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Independence's Black population has grown by an estimated 25.2%. Black residents' share of Independence's population has increased from 8.4% to 10.6%.

Independence is more Black than neighboring Sugar Creek (0.5% Black), Lake Tapawingo (0.6% Black), River Bend (0% Black), Blue Springs (8% Black), and Birmingham (0% Black).

Independence's Asian Population

1,405 residents of Independence, or 1.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Independence is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 2.1% of the population is Asian. Independence ranks 166th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Independence's Asian population has declined by an estimated 2.7%. Asian residents' share of Independence's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.2%.

Independence is more Asian than neighboring Lake Tapawingo (0% Asian), River Bend (0% Asian), and Birmingham (0% Asian). Independence is less Asian than neighboring Sugar Creek (2.5% Asian), and Blue Springs (1.7% Asian).

Independence's Hispanic Population

16,198 residents of Independence, or 13.3% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Independence is higher than in Missouri overall, where 5.2% of the population is Hispanic. Independence ranks 40th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Independence's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 7.7%. Hispanic residents' share of Independence's population has increased from 12.2% to 13.3%.

Independence is more Hispanic than neighboring Sugar Creek (9.1% Hispanic), Lake Tapawingo (0.6% Hispanic), River Bend (0% Hispanic), Blue Springs (6.2% Hispanic), and Birmingham (0% Hispanic).

Independence's Native American/Other Population

1,458 residents of Independence, or 1.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Independence is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 0.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Independence ranks 170th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Independence's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 23.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Independence's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.2%.

Independence is more Native American/Other than neighboring Lake Tapawingo (1% Native American/Other), River Bend (0% Native American/Other), and Blue Springs (0.4% Native American/Other). Independence is less Native American/Other than neighboring Sugar Creek (4.2% Native American/Other), and Birmingham (2.6% Native American/Other).

Independence's Multiracial Population

6,336 residents of Independence, or 5.2% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Independence is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 4.8% of the population is Multiracial. Independence ranks 195th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Independence's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 25.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Independence's population has decreased from 6.9% to 5.2%.

Independence is more Multiracial than neighboring Sugar Creek (4.1% Multiracial), Lake Tapawingo (3.4% Multiracial), River Bend (0% Multiracial), and Birmingham (3.2% Multiracial). Independence is less Multiracial than neighboring Blue Springs (5.5% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.