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Demographic Analysis of Oakmont: A Predominantly White Neighborhood in Shawnee, Kansas
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Oakmont, a neighborhood in Shawnee, Kansas, is characterized by Low Diversity, with a white population of 84% in 2022. The neighborhood has a median income of $127,175, which is above the national average. Oakmont is located near high-quality schools and green spaces, making it attractive for families seeking a suburban lifestyle with urban amenities.
Over the past decade, Oakmont has experienced demographic changes. In 2013, the neighborhood had Low Diversity, with a 90% white population. By 2019, it shifted to Moderate Diversity, with the white population decreasing to 68% and Asian representation increasing to 12%. However, by 2022, the neighborhood returned to Low Diversity.
The most significant change occurred between 2015 and 2019, when the Asian population increased from 1% to 12%. This shift may be attributed to job opportunities in tech industries or educational institutions in the greater Kansas City area attracting a more diverse workforce.
The median income in Oakmont has fluctuated but remained high. It peaked in 2016 at $136,519 and declined to $127,175 in 2022. The period of greatest racial diversity (2017-2019) coincided with a slight decrease in median income, though it remained above $130,000.
The population has fluctuated, peaking at 2,988 in 2016 and decreasing to 2,208 in 2022. This population decrease, along with the return to Low Diversity, may indicate a shift in housing preferences or economic factors influencing residency in this high-income area.
Oakmont's brief period of increased diversity aligns with national trends of growing diversity in suburban areas. However, the reversal of this trend in recent years is atypical, as many similar suburban communities continue to diversify.
The high median income of Oakmont, consistently above $120,000, is well above the national median household income of around $67,000 in 2020. This economic status likely influences the demographic composition, potentially limiting accessibility for more diverse populations.
The population fluctuation, particularly the decrease from 2016 to 2022, may reflect broader trends in suburban areas, where some communities experience slower growth or population loss as younger generations prefer urban living or more affordable suburban options.
Oakmont has largely maintained its character as a predominantly white, high-income suburb, despite a brief period of increasing diversity. The community's evolution over the past decade reflects the interplay between economic factors, housing preferences, and demographic trends, highlighting the challenges and opportunities faced by affluent suburban neighborhoods in maintaining or increasing diversity.
