Buckner City Hall, 2026
Buckner’s story
151 years in pictures
Census counts: 88 in 1880, 2,945 in 2020. The archive holds 2 old photos and papers going back to 2004 and 4 maps from 1935 on.
- 1875Buckner is settled
Photo: Rowen Hansen · CC BY-SA 4.0
Population
2,891
2025 Census estimate · −1.9% since 2020
Typical home
$205K
+1.2% in a year
Household income
$87K
median
Median age
32.5
years
Jobs based here
427
A commuter town
TownGrade
B−
#115 of 247 in MO
Is Buckner a good place to live?
Buckner gives you more for your money than most places: homes are within reach, about $205K for a typical one, or 2.5 years of the Kansas City metro’s $83K median household income. It grades B− overall, 115th among Missouri's 247 graded towns. Buckner’s age of the median resident is 32.5 years, below both Missouri’s towns (38.5 years) and U.S. towns (40.5 years). The biggest park or preserve is Heisler Park, at 24 acres.
StrongestA−Cost of living
What makes Buckner stand out
Where Buckner beats most towns.
A commuter town
96% of working residents leave Buckner for work
Where Buckner’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
427jobs based in Buckner
4%of working residents work in town
17 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
How Buckner grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Missouri), ordered by how far Buckner is from typical.
Cost of livingA−Open →Hazard riskFEMA risk higher than 27% of U.S. communities; inland flooding tops the listBOpen →SafetyC+Open →HealthLess healthy than 59% of U.S. towns; St. Mary's Medical Center 8.3 miles awayC+Open →SchoolsC+Open →Jobs & income$87K median household incomeB−Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 6.8 of 20; 4.8% of households have no car; 2.4% of workers walk, bike or ride transitB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors1 mile of trail; 2% conserved landC+Open →HistoryCOpen →Civic life3.4 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsB+Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
How TownRatings grades towns →
Nearby attractions
All 42 attractions →Arrowhead Stadium and 33 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Buckner. Close and well known come first.
Big draw16 mi Stadium & arenaArrowhead Stadium
15 mi Park & preserveSubTropolis
16 mi Stadium & arenaKauffman Stadium
16 mi Theme parkWorlds of Fun
12 mi MuseumHarry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum
20 mi Stadium & arenaCPKC StadiumSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Arrowhead Stadium: Ichabod, CC BY-SA 3.0 · SubTropolis: ErgoSum88, Public domain · Kauffman Stadium: Mysteryman28, Public domain · Worlds of Fun: Tkexb173 at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum: Sallyrob at English Wikipedia, Public domain · CPKC Stadium: elisfkc2, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Buckner: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Buckner, and how to reach them.
PowerEvergy12.1¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterBuckner PWSNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet6 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpHire your ownNo town pickup: you hire a private haulerTown site
Register to voteOnlineIn Missouri you can register online until 27 days before Election Day, in person until 27 days before Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 27 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereJacksonJackson County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Aug 2021
ZIP code6401664016 100%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Buckner.
Buckner has homes that are cheap against local pay, looks healthier within Missouri than nationally and sends most of its workers to Kansas City and beyond.
Work & commuteJobs & income grade B−
Most of Buckner’s workers leave town for work
Buckner has 427 jobs for its 1,515 working residents: even if every job went to a resident, most would still commute out.
The median commute is under 17 miles. In Buckner, the average commute is 27 minutes. Jobs based in Buckner grew to 427 in 2023, 97 more than in 2013. For working residents in the town, the share who work locally is 4.2%.
4%work in town
| Buckner | Missouri towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip to work | 27 minutes | 22 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Working residents who work in town | 4.2% | 13% | 8% |
| Median household income | $87,000 | $62,000 | $80,000 |
| Work from home | 8% | 9% | 11% |
Where working residents work
In Buckner4%
Kansas City22%
Independence12%
Blue Springs8%
Lee's Summit6%
17 mi
median commute distance
427
jobs based in Buckner
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
B−
Walkability grade: more walkable than 52% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
SchoolsC+
Buckner’s schools rank behind 59% of Missouri districts
Its one school is below. The Fort Osage R-I school district runs its public schools. 327 students attend Buckner’s public school.
41%of MO districts it outscoresC+School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buckner Elem.Largest public elementary schoolGrades K–4 | Grades K–4 | 327 | B |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within MO on state tests and graduation
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade B
Buckner faces a low natural-hazard risk, led by inland flooding
14 flood insurance claims have been paid in Buckner since 1979. FEMA expects less storm and flood damage locally than in 73% of U.S. communities. 40% of the town’s expected losses from natural hazards come from inland flooding, followed by tornadoes at 24%. Federal disaster aid has reached households in Buckner after 2 declared disasters, most recently in 2007.
27risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingTornadoesHeat waves
14
paid flood claims since 1979
2
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA disaster declarations and aid · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
HousingCost of living grade A−
Buckner’s grade for cost of living is an A−
At 2.5 years of the Kansas City metro’s $83K median household income, the typical home (about $205K) costs less against local pay than in 79% of Missouri towns; that ratio is one input to that grade.
The share of households in Buckner who own their home: 76%. Homes locally are typically worth about $205,000, up 1.2% in a year, 23% below the Missouri typical home. The typical rent locally is $986 a month.
$205KZillow home value
| Buckner | Missouri towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 76% | 64% | 73% |
| Median rent | $986 a month | $970 a month | $1,185 a month |
Typical home value
Buckner$205K
Missouri$265K
+1.2%
value change, 1 year
2
homes sold in May
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Climate
The climate in Buckner brings four seasons and hot summers
A winter brings about 13 inches of snow, with January nights at 20° and July afternoons at 88°.
13″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter23–42°
Spring44–65°
Summer66–86°
Fall45–67°
Oct 27
typical first frost
Apr 10
typical last frost
+1.0°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
SafetyC+
Buckner sees more crime per resident than 62% of U.S. towns
For Buckner, the level of violent crime is 2.8 per 1,000 residents. The rate of thefts and burglaries for Buckner comes to 10.1 per 1,000 residents.
38%of U.S. towns report more crimeC+Safety Grade
| Buckner | Missouri towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 2.8 per 1,000 residents | 2.2 | 1.6 |
| Property crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 10.1 per 1,000 residents | 12.5 | 9.9 |
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Buckner2.8
Missouri4.3
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Buckner10.1
Missouri16.9
U.S.15.5
38th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
49th
percentile among MO towns
8
violent crimes reported in 2025
29
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
Who lives here
Fewer middle-aged adults than Missouri overall
Adults 35 to 64 are 32% of residents (37% statewide); adults 18 to 34 are 27% of residents (22% statewide). A bachelor’s degree or higher: 23% of adults 25 and older, vs 32% across Missouri.
32.5median age · MO 39
| Buckner | Missouri towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | 27% | 23% | 22% |
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 23% | 22% | 29% |
BucknerMissouriUnited States
Ages · share of residents
18%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma9%
High school33%
Some college23%
Associate’s13%
Bachelor’s17%
Graduate5%
Women and men · all residents
51% women, 49% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±5.9 points. Across Missouri, 50.7% of residents are women.
| Buckner | MO | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 16.8% | 11.9% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 9.6% | 10.4% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 8.9% | 9.1% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 17.7% | 13.2% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 10.5% | 12.8% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 8.9% | 11.6% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 12.1% | 13% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 12.1% | 10.6% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 3.4% | 7.3% | 7% |
| No diploma | 8.5% | 8.1% | 10.4% |
| High school | 32.8% | 30.2% | 26% |
| Some college | 22.6% | 20.8% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 13.4% | 8.4% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 17.4% | 19.8% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 5.3% | 12.6% | 14.1% |
U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates · in a town of 2,900, single groups can be off by several points
HealthC+
Buckner stands out in Missouri and nationally: a larger share of its adults have been diagnosed with depression
Within Missouri it is healthier than 61% of the 247 graded towns: much of Missouri scores lower on these measures.
32% of adults have high blood pressure in Buckner. On the CDC’s 32 measures, Buckner is ahead of Missouri on 4 and behind on 5.
41%healthier than U.S. townsC+Health Grade
| Buckner | Missouri towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 20% | 16% | 16% |
| Depression (CDC PLACES) | 29% | 25% | 23% |
| Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES) | 20% | 19% | 17% |
| Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES) | 75% | 78% | 79% |
32 measures vs. Missouri
4 better23 too close to call5 worse
| What stands out | Buckner | MO |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer older adults who have lost all their teeth | 12.7% | 15.8% |
| Fewer adults with diabetes | 10.1% | 12.1% |
| More binge drinkers | 19.5% | 16.3% |
St. Mary's Medical Center
8.3 mi away · emergency room
1 of 3
care shortages: mental health
61st
percentile among MO towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
OutdoorsC+
2.5% of Buckner is conserved land
Count the trails in 1 park or preserve and they come to 0.5 miles. Buckner’s trail density is 0.3 miles per square mile.
2.5%conserved
| Buckner | Missouri towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miles of trail per square mile | 0.3 miles per square mile | 0.3 | 0.4 |
| Conserved land | 2.5% | 2.1% | 4.3% |
2.5%
conserved · 29 of 1,139 acres
0.5 mi
of trails · 0.3 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Heisler Park | 0.5 mi | 24 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Buckner
19pages on Buckner
The big questions
SchoolsC+Behind 59% of MO districts · 1 schoolSafetyC+2.8 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthC+Better than MO on 4 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingA−$205K typical home · up 1.2% in a yearWork & commuteB−$87K median household income · 427 jobs hereNatural hazardsBFEMA risk higher than 27% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
1 within 15 miles of the center of Buckner
About 5 of every 100 Buckner residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Missouri.
About Buckner
City in Missouri, United States
Buckner is a city in Jackson County, Missouri, United States. The population was 2,945 at the 2020 census. For decades it was best known for TV and radio commercials promoting local automobile dealership Lasater Ford, run by the Lasater brothers, Wilson and Milton and later Halverson Ford. It is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1875
- Area
- 1.8 sq mi
- Elevation
- 751 ft
- ZIP code
- 64016
- Area code
- 816
Questions about Buckner
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Buckner, MO a good place to live?
Buckner grades B− overall, better than 48% of U.S. towns and #115 of 247 in Missouri. It grades C+ for health, C+ for safety and C+ for schools.
Is Buckner, MO expensive?
Not for the area. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades A−.