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Demographic Analysis of Kentucky Hills: A White Majority Neighborhood in Transition
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Kentucky Hills, a neighborhood in Independence, Missouri, is characterized as a Low Diversity area with a White Majority. In 2022, 81% of its population identified as white. The neighborhood has shown a trend towards increased diversity over the past decade. The median income in Kentucky Hills was $56,779 in 2022, indicating a middle-income suburban area. The neighborhood is known for its hilly terrain, which contributes to its name and provides scenic views of the surrounding area.
Over the past decade, Kentucky Hills has maintained its status as a White Majority community while showing signs of transitioning towards increased diversity. In 2013, the neighborhood exhibited extremely Low Diversity, with 90% of the population identifying as white. By 2022, the white population decreased to 81%, indicating a gradual shift towards Moderate Diversity. The Hispanic population has shown consistent growth, increasing from 5% in 2013 to 9% in 2022, suggesting a Transitional Community in terms of Hispanic representation. There has been a notable increase in the "Two or More Races" category, from less than 1% in 2013 to 6% in 2022, further supporting the Transitional Community classification. The Pacific Islander population has fluctuated, peaking at 9% in 2021 before dropping to 2% in 2022, indicating some volatility in this demographic.
The median income in Kentucky Hills has shown fluctuations over the years. From 2013 to 2019, there was a general upward trend in median income, rising from $55,410 to $58,666. A significant drop occurred in 2020 to $54,044, likely influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. 2021 saw a substantial increase to $64,855, followed by a decrease to $56,779 in 2022. These income fluctuations appear to correlate with the gradual increase in diversity, suggesting that economic factors may be influencing demographic changes.
The population has remained relatively stable, hovering around 4,000 residents throughout the decade, with slight fluctuations. This stability in population size, combined with increasing diversity, suggests that demographic changes are likely due to turnover in existing housing rather than significant new development.
The gradual increase in diversity in Kentucky Hills aligns with broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban areas. However, the neighborhood remains less diverse than many urban areas across the United States. The income fluctuations, particularly the drop in 2020 and subsequent rise in 2021, mirror national economic trends related to the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery.
The growth in the Hispanic population and those identifying as two or more races is consistent with national demographic shifts, reflecting changing patterns of immigration and increasing multiracial families across the country. However, the neighborhood's continued White Majority status indicates that these changes are occurring at a slower pace than in many other suburban areas nationwide.
Kentucky Hills remains a predominantly white, middle-income suburban neighborhood, but shows signs of gradual transition towards increased diversity. These demographic shifts, coupled with income fluctuations, suggest a community in the early stages of change, potentially influenced by broader economic and social trends affecting suburban areas across the United States.
