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Demographic Analysis of Palestine West and Oak Park Northeast: A Black Majority Neighborhood in Kansas City
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Palestine West and Oak Park Northeast, located in Kansas City, Missouri, is a predominantly Black Majority neighborhood with a median income of $41,453 as of 2022. The area has maintained its Black Majority status throughout the past decade, with some fluctuations in racial composition. This neighborhood has historical significance in Kansas City's African American community, with roots dating back to the early 20th century.
From 2013 to 2022, the neighborhood consistently fell under the Black Majority category, with the Black population ranging from 74% to 89%. Between 2013 and 2016, the area maintained a strong Black Majority (86-89%), with minimal representation from other racial groups. From 2017 to 2019, a slight transition towards Moderate Diversity occurred, with the Black population decreasing to 74-78% and notable increases in Hispanic (up to 11%) and White (up to 9%) populations. In 2020-2022, the neighborhood reverted to a stronger Black Majority (80-88%), with decreases in Hispanic and White populations.
The median income in the neighborhood has shown significant volatility over the past decade. From 2013 to 2015, income remained relatively stable, around $26,000. Between 2016 and 2019, a sharp increase occurred, peaking at $48,865 in 2019. From 2020 to 2022, a gradual decline brought the median income down to $41,453. The period of highest income (2017-2019) coincided with the time of greatest racial diversity in the neighborhood.
Population trends have been equally volatile, with a low of 560 residents in 2016 and a high of 1,223 in 2019. The recent decline in population (from 1,217 in 2020 to 955 in 2022) correlates with the decreasing median income.
The neighborhood's persistent Black Majority status is notable in a national context where many urban areas have experienced increasing diversity or gentrification-driven demographic shifts. The brief period of increased diversity (2017-2019) aligns with broader trends of growing diversity in American cities, but the subsequent reversion to a stronger Black Majority is less common.
The income volatility in this neighborhood is more pronounced than typical national trends. While many urban areas saw steady income growth in the latter half of the 2010s, followed by challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, the dramatic rise and fall in this neighborhood suggest local factors at play, possibly related to specific economic developments or policy changes in Kansas City.
The correlation between peak diversity and peak income (2017-2019) could reflect a brief period of gentrification or economic development that attracted a more diverse population. However, the subsequent reversal might indicate that these changes were not sustained, possibly due to broader economic pressures or community resistance to rapid change.
Palestine West and Oak Park Northeast has maintained its character as a predominantly Black neighborhood, while experiencing significant economic and demographic fluctuations over the past decade. These changes reflect both the neighborhood's resilience and its vulnerability to broader urban trends and economic forces.
