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Demographic Analysis of Ken-Mar: A Transitioning Black Majority Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Ken-Mar, a neighborhood in Wichita, Kansas, exhibits a demographic profile categorized as a "Black Majority" community. As of 2022, the Black population comprises 50% of the neighborhood. Ken-Mar has a median income of $39,673 and a population of 2,854, indicating a relatively low-income status compared to national averages. The neighborhood is located in Wichita, known as the "Air Capital of the World" due to its significant aviation industry presence.
Ken-Mar has undergone a demographic transition over the past decade. In 2013, the neighborhood was classified as having a "Black Majority" with 57% of the population being Black. This majority increased through 2018, reaching 71%. From 2019 onwards, a gradual shift towards increased diversity has been observed. By 2022, while still maintaining a "Black Majority," the percentage decreased to 50%, at the threshold of this category.
This trend suggests Ken-Mar may be transitioning from a "Black Majority" to a "Black Plurality" or "Majority-Minority" community. The White population has increased from 12% in 2013 to 28% in 2022. There has also been a modest but steady increase in Hispanic and Asian populations, contributing to a more diverse community composition.
The shift towards greater diversity correlates with an overall increase in median income. From 2013 to 2022, the median income rose from $31,904 to $39,673, an increase of about 24%. This economic improvement coincides with the gradual diversification of the neighborhood. However, this trend has not been consistent. There was a significant decrease in median income in 2019 to $29,511, followed by a recovery in 2020. This volatility could be related to broader economic factors.
The population has shown moderate growth, increasing from 2,792 in 2013 to 2,854 in 2022. This subtle population growth, coupled with the changing racial demographics, suggests that the neighborhood is attracting new residents from diverse backgrounds.
Ken-Mar's demographic shifts align with broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas. The neighborhood's median income, while showing improvement, remains below the national median household income, which was around $70,784 in 2021. This indicates that while Ken-Mar is experiencing positive economic trends, it still faces economic challenges compared to national averages.
Ken-Mar appears to be a community in transition, moving from a predominantly Black neighborhood towards a more diverse community composition. This demographic shift correlates with modest economic improvements, though the area still faces economic challenges. The coming years will be crucial in determining whether Ken-Mar fully transitions to a "Majority-Minority" or "High Diversity" category, and how these changes will further impact the local economy and community dynamics.
