Demographic Analysis of Legacy East: A Black Majority Neighborhood in Transition
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
DATA SOURCE
Legacy East, a neighborhood in Kansas City, Missouri, exhibits a demographic profile characterized as a "Black Majority" community. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a population of 1,404 with a median income of $22,494. Legacy East has transitioned from a highly segregated community to one showing signs of increasing diversity over the past decade.
From 2013 to 2022, Legacy East has undergone a demographic evolution. The neighborhood has consistently maintained a "Black Majority" status, with the Black population ranging from 62% to 84%. Legacy East shows signs of being a "Transitional Community." The percentage of White residents decreased from 33% in 2013 to a low of 10% in 2018, but has since increased to 23% in 2022. The Hispanic population grew to 7% by 2022. The neighborhood is slowly moving towards "Moderate Diversity," as indicated by increasing representation from White and Hispanic populations, along with a consistent presence of residents identifying as two or more races.
The economic landscape of Legacy East has shown volatility over the past decade. The median income peaked in 2015 at $27,019 but has since fluctuated, settling at $22,494 in 2022. This represents a slight increase from the 2013 figure of $21,885, but a decline from the mid-decade high. The consistently low median income suggests ongoing economic challenges in the neighborhood. Despite economic fluctuations, the population has remained relatively stable, growing slightly from 1,238 in 2013 to 1,404 in 2022.
The median income in Legacy East ($22,494 in 2022) is significantly below the national median household income, which was around $70,784 in 2021. This suggests that Legacy East faces more severe economic challenges compared to the national average. The high percentage of Black residents (64% in 2022) is notably above the national average, which was about 13.6% in 2021. This indicates that Legacy East is a historically Black neighborhood. The gradual increase in diversity, particularly the growth of the Hispanic population and the recent uptick in White residents, aligns with national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas. However, the pace of change in Legacy East appears to be slower than in many rapidly diversifying urban neighborhoods across the U.S.
Legacy East represents a community in transition. It maintains its character as a predominantly Black neighborhood while showing signs of increasing diversity. The economic challenges persist, but the stable population suggests a resilient community. As the neighborhood continues to evolve, it will be crucial to monitor how these demographic shifts interact with economic opportunities and community dynamics.
