36 YEARS SINCE THE LAST COMMUNITY STUDY
This study, the first of its kind since 1985, provides a fresh portrait of the local Jewish community. It answers many questions relevant to the present and future of the Kansas City Jewish community.
The 2021 Greater Kansas City Jewish Community Study employed innovative, state-of-the-art methods to create a comprehensive portrait of the size, characteristics, attitudes, and behaviors of the present-day Jewish community in Kansas City and the surrounding area. Where possible, the study also provides national context by comparing findings to the results of the Pew Research Center’s 2020 study of the US Jewish community (published while this study was collecting data in the Greater Kansas City area).
This report is based on survey data collected from 989 Jewish households in Greater Kansas City. The surveys were completed between April and July 2021. This study is intended to be a first step in identifying communal trends; generating questions to explore; and determining strategies, programs, and policies to enhance Jewish life in Greater Kansas City. Specifically, the study seeks to:
- Estimate the number of Jewish adults and children in the community, as well as the number of non-Jewish adults and children residing in Jewish households
- Describe the community in terms of age and gender, geographic distribution, health and economic well-being, and other sociodemographic traits
- Measure participation in Jewish communal programs and organizations
- Assess the multifaceted cultural, communal, and religious expressions of Judaism that constitute Jewish engagement
- Assess attitudes toward Judaism, the Jewish community in Greater Kansas City and around the world, and Israel
18,400 JEWISH ADULTS
Approximately 28,300 adults and children, of whom 22,100 are Jewish, living in 12,600 households.
3,600 JEWISH CHILDREN
37% of Jewish children in grades 6-12 participate in Jewish youth group/teen programs.