816

About 816 Area Code:

With city names like Independence, Liberty and Freeman, this region might as well be called Red, White and Blue. In all, this area code in western Missouri services 72 cities. It’s a varied population made up of millions of residents and businesses. Kansas City alone has over 508,090 residents, making it the largest urban center in this area code. The community structure within the 816 area code includes a mix of urban and suburban populations, reflecting a wide range of lifestyles and demographics. In case you were wondering, Independence is the county seat of Jackson County. It was founded on March 29, 1827, and named in honor of the Declaration of Independence. It quickly established itself as a significant frontier town, becoming a key departure point for the burgeoning fur trade, serving merchants and adventurers embarking on the long journey westward along the Santa Fe Trail. It is also the hometown of U.S. President Harry S. Truman. Top employers include the Independence School District, Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems and Centerpoint Medical Center. With stores like Eileen’s Colossal Cookies and another that sells both local football AND Taylor Swift merch, Liberty sounds like it might be the setting of a Christmas romcom or the small, cozy town where a single mother and her bookish daughter settle while the slightly chaotic yet spunky, resourceful mom tries to pursue her dream of opening an inn and help her precocious teen get into Harvard, even though she herself barely finished high school.

Still, this corner of Kansas certainly lives up to its name — in more ways than one. Not only did it play a key role in the Underground Railroad in the 19th century, it was also the stomping ground of notorious outlaw Jesse James during the Civil War. More recently, it is the county seat of Clay County, with a population of around 30,000. The city also hosts William Jewell College. Top employers include Liberty Public Schools, Liberty Hospital and Hallmark Cards. “Pot hole on your street?” a notice from 2022 announces on the Freeman local government homepage. “Whether you need to report a pothole, a burned out street light, or some other issue, the new city website is the place to go,” the notice goes on to say. With a population of around 600 people, Freeman, named for a railroad official, is probably closer to a town than a city. But there you have it. Other interesting stats include: Between 2021 and 2022 median household income declined from $72,734 to $57,917; in 2022, the median property value was $141,100, and the homeownership rate was 71.5%. There are also plenty of parks and trails to satisfy nature lovers, not to mention a lively economy with a variety of shopping centers, restaurants, and cafes. Residents appreciate the relaxed atmosphere and strong community spirit that define Freeman. Despite its size, the town has an active cultural calendar. It hosts art exhibitions, music festivals, and film screenings throughout the year.