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Demographic Analysis of Kathleen Neighborhood: Black Majority and Growing Hispanic Population
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Kathleen neighborhood in Lakeland, Florida, exhibits characteristics of a Black Majority community with a significant Hispanic presence. As of 2022, the neighborhood's racial composition shows 58% Black and 24% Hispanic populations, with a median income of $30,702. This area has undergone demographic shifts over the past decade, transitioning from a more evenly distributed racial makeup to its current composition. Kathleen is known for its proximity to Kathleen High School, a significant educational institution in the area.
In 2013, Kathleen was categorized as a Black Plurality community, with the Black population at 50% and significant White (26%) and Hispanic (18%) minorities. Over the decade, the neighborhood transitioned to a clear Black Majority status by 2021, with the Black population reaching 60%. There was a decrease in the White population, dropping from 26% in 2013 to 18% in 2022. The Hispanic population has shown growth, increasing from 18% in 2013 to 24% in 2022, indicating a trend towards a more diverse community makeup.
The median income in Kathleen has shown fluctuations over the decade, with an overall increasing trend. In 2013, the median income was $29,047, which dropped to $24,585 in 2014 before gradually recovering and peaking at $31,644 in 2019. As of 2022, the median income stands at $30,702, showing a slight decrease from the 2019 peak but still higher than the beginning of the decade.
The economic trajectory correlates with the demographic shifts. The initial decrease in median income coincided with the period when the Black population was consolidating its majority status. The subsequent income recovery and growth phase aligns with the increasing Hispanic population and the stabilization of the Black majority.
The demographic shifts in Kathleen reflect broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban and urban areas. The growth of the Hispanic population mirrors national patterns of Hispanic population growth in many U.S. cities and suburbs. The consolidation of a Black majority may reflect local factors specific to Lakeland or the broader Central Florida region.
The median income trends in Kathleen, while showing overall growth, remain below the national median household income. This suggests that while the neighborhood has experienced some economic improvement, it still faces economic challenges compared to national averages.
The population growth from 3,009 in 2010 to 3,454 in 2022 indicates a steady increase in residents, which could be attributed to the neighborhood's changing demographics and possibly its affordability compared to other areas in Lakeland or nearby urban centers.
Kathleen presents a picture of a community in transition, with a strengthening Black majority, a growing Hispanic population, and gradual economic improvements. These changes reflect both national diversity trends and unique local dynamics, positioning Kathleen as a neighborhood that may continue to evolve demographically and economically in the coming years.
