# Garden City, Missouri

Garden City is a city in southeast Cass County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,579 at the 2020 census. The city lies roughly 50 miles southeast the Kansas City metropolitan area.

## History

Garden City was platted in 1885, and so named on account of the fertile soil near the town site. A post office called Garden City has been in operation since 1875.
The O'Bannon Homestead was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

## Geography

Garden City is located along MO-7. The headwaters of Panther Creek arise just southeast of the location.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.51 square miles (6.50 km$^2$), of which 2.47 square miles (6.40 km$^2$) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km$^2$) is water.

## Demographics
### 2020 census

As of the census of 2020, the population was 2,500 people, with the median age being 36.5 and a median household income of $55,150. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Garden City, MO grew from 1,345 to 1,506, a 12% increase. White (non-Hispanic) is the largest ethnic group in the city with a percentage of 86.3. In 2020, there were 9.29 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (1.3k people) in Garden City, MO than any other race or ethnicity. None of the households in Garden City, MO reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. In 2020, the median property value in Garden City, MO was $114,100, and the homeownership rate was 67.3%. Most people in Garden City, MO drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 31.5 minutes. The average car ownership in Garden City, MO was 2 cars per household.

### 2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,642 people, 650 households, and 436 families residing in the city. The population density was 664.8 inhabitants per square mile (256.7/km$^2$). There were 721 housing units at an average density of 291.9 per square mile (112.7/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 97.4% White, 0.2% African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.7% of the population.
There were 650 households, of which 38.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.9% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.06.
The median age in the city was 33.1 years. 29.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.5% were from 25 to 44; 23.9% were from 45 to 64; and 11.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.3% male and 50.7% female.

### 2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,500 people, 595 households, and 399 families residing in the city. The population density was 869.0 inhabitants per square mile (335.5/km$^2$). There were 630 housing units at an average density of 365.0 per square mile (140.9/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 97.73% White, 0.20% African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.33% from other races, and 1.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.47% of the population.
There were 595 households, out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the city the population was spread out, with 29.1% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,461, and the median income for a family was $43,125. Males had a median income of $31,848 versus $20,486 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,695. About 7.7% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.7% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.

## Education

Public education in Garden City is administered by the Sherwood Cass R-VIII School District, which covers approximately 190 square miles. The campus is located outside of Creighton, MO. The district operates one elementary school, one middle school, and Sherwood High School consisting of roughly 960 students K-12.
Garden City has a public library, a branch of the Cass County Public Library.

## Garden City Police Department

The City of Garden City operates a 24- hour police department, with the station being located at 106 N 3rd St. The police department currently consists of 9 employees: 1 police chief, 1 sergeant, 4 officers, 1 codes officer, and 2 office staff members.
The department operates many vehicles, including several 2016-2019 Ford Explorers and a 2020 Ford Fusion codes vehicle. As of the December 2024 council meeting, the city is seeking to order additional patrol vehicles.
The Chief of police is Michael Carr.

## Garden City Fire Protection District

The Garden City Fire Protection District was founded and chartered by the residents of the district and State of Missouri in 1972 after the fire service had been provided by a fire association since the 1800s. The fire district was an all volunteer department until July 2001 when it hired its first full-time employee.
The GCFPD protects more than 94 square miles of land. The district is currently protected by two fire stations, located at 300 Main Street, in Garden City. Station 2 located in Dayton, MO
Currently, the Department employs 15 part-time personnel and has 15 volunteer personnel. The Department is staffed 24 hours per day and operates an EMS unit that is cross staffed to operate fire apparatus. GCFPD has numerous apparatus, 2012, 2016 and 2019 EMS units(EMS 95, 96, 98), a 2020 Spartan Engine (E96) and a 2019 two-seat engine (E92), a 2006 3000 gallon Tanker (T97), a 1996 Ford Brush unit, a 2011 Ford Brush Unit, and a 2019 Ford Brush unit (B91, B93, B96). Brush 91 and 96, EMS 98, and Engine 92 are located at station 2. The Department also operates 2 command vehicles, Chief 1 a 2022 Ford Explorer and Command 91, a 2024 Dodge Durango
Finally, the Fire District's fire insurance rating is presently a Class 6 within the city limits. Outside the city limits (without hydrants) it is a Class 9.

## Notable people

* Tyler Farr - Country music singer-songwriter
* Ewing Kauffman - Businessman who founded Marion Laboratories and the first owner of the Kansas City Royals