Formerly, just a small agricultural community to the east of Blue Springs, Grain Valley has grown into a thriving city in recent years.
“We’re one of the fastest growing communities in the metro area in recent years,” City Administrator Gary Bradley said.
“A lot of the growth has to do with people wanting to live in a smaller town,” Bradley said. “It is safe, friendly, clean, has great schools, great parks and a real sense of community. There are a lot of opportunities for families.”
Grain Valley has grown east and west with new housing developments to an estimated population of 9,430 in 2006 according to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly five times that of 1990’s 1,898 residents. The median income of a Grain Valley resident is about $50,000 annually.
Growth is not restricted to one side of town either.
“We’re growing north, south, east and west,” Bradley said.
The city enjoys access to big city attractions like World’s of Fun, the Country Club Plaza and Kauffman Stadium without the crime or traffic congestion that sometimes accompanies the city.
Bradley thinks this dynamic is an important part of what is driving Grain Valley’s growth.
“25 years ago, Blue Springs and Lee’s Summit were the farthest out communities, right on the edge of the metro area,” Bradley said. “Now you see many people from those communities moving to Grain Valley.”
