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Demographic Analysis of Fairlane Neighborhood: Black Majority Community with Gradual Changes
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Fairlane neighborhood in Kansas City, Missouri, is characterized as a Black Majority community with 63% of the population identifying as Black in 2022. The median income was $47,167 in 2022, indicating a working-class urban area. Fairlane is located near the historic 18th and Vine District, known for its jazz heritage and cultural significance in African American history.
Over the past decade, Fairlane has maintained its status as a Black Majority community. The percentage of Black residents decreased slightly from 67% in 2013 to 63% in 2022, remaining above the 50% threshold for this classification. This decline coincided with small increases in other racial groups, particularly the Hispanic population, which grew from 9% in 2013 to 12% in 2022. The community shows signs of being a Transitional Community, albeit at a slow pace.
The median income in Fairlane has fluctuated over the years, with an overall upward trend. From $44,942 in 2013, it rose to a peak of $54,027 in 2018 before declining to $47,167 in 2022. This represents a 5% increase over the decade, barely keeping pace with inflation. The population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between about 5,000 and 5,800 residents.
The slight decrease in the Black population percentage correlates with the modest increase in median income, potentially indicating that incoming residents from other racial groups may have slightly higher incomes. However, the changes are not significant enough to alter the neighborhood's socioeconomic profile substantially.
Fairlane's demographic trends align with broader national patterns of increasing diversity in urban areas, though at a slower pace than many major cities. The modest income growth is consistent with national trends for working-class neighborhoods, which have often struggled to keep pace with rising living costs.
The stability of Fairlane's Black majority is notable in the context of many urban areas experiencing more rapid demographic shifts due to gentrification. This stability might be attributed to the neighborhood's strong cultural identity, potentially linked to its proximity to historically significant African American districts like 18th and Vine.
Fairlane presents a picture of a stable, predominantly Black community experiencing gradual demographic and economic changes. While showing signs of slow diversification and modest economic growth, it has maintained its essential character over the past decade. This stability, combined with slow positive changes, suggests a community that may be balancing preservation of its cultural identity with adaptation to broader urban demographic trends.
