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Demographic Analysis of Ruskin Hills: A Stable Black Majority Neighborhood with Subtle Racial Shifts
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Ruskin Hills, a neighborhood in Kansas City, Missouri, exhibits a demographic profile categorized as a "Black Majority" community. As of 2022, the Black population comprises 72% of the neighborhood, with a median income of $43,053. The neighborhood has maintained a stable racial composition over the past decade, consistently retaining its Black majority status. However, minor changes in other racial groups and economic indicators suggest a gradually evolving community landscape.
From 2013 to 2022, Ruskin Hills has consistently maintained its status as a "Black Majority" community. The Black population has fluctuated between 66% and 75% during this period, showing a slight overall increase from 67% in 2013 to 72% in 2022. This stability in racial composition is significant, particularly in an era where many urban neighborhoods are experiencing rapid demographic changes.
While the Black majority has remained stable, there have been subtle shifts in other racial groups. The White population has shown a slight decrease from 18% in 2013 to 21% in 2022. The Asian population, although small, has shown consistent growth from 0% in 2013 to 3% in 2022. The Hispanic population has fluctuated, decreasing from 14% in 2013 to a low of 1% in 2018-2020, before increasing again to 4% in 2022. These changes, while not substantial enough to shift the neighborhood out of the "Black Majority" category, indicate a slow trend towards increased diversity, particularly with the growth of Asian and Hispanic populations in recent years.
The median income in Ruskin Hills has shown considerable fluctuation over the past decade. Starting at $43,668 in 2013, it peaked at $51,118 in 2014 before declining to a low of $39,485 in 2016. Since then, it has shown a general upward trend, reaching $49,868 in 2021 before settling at $43,053 in 2022. These economic fluctuations appear to correlate with some demographic shifts. The period of highest income (2014) coincided with a slight increase in the White population and decrease in the Hispanic population. The lowest income years (2016-2018) saw an increase in the Black population percentage. The recent income recovery corresponds with slight increases in Asian and Hispanic populations.
The population of Ruskin Hills has grown over this period, from 2,694 in 2013 to 3,249 in 2022, suggesting that the neighborhood is attracting new residents despite economic fluctuations. The stability of the Black majority in this neighborhood contrasts with many urban areas across the United States that have experienced significant gentrification and demographic shifts over the past decade. The slow increase in diversity, particularly the growth of Asian and Hispanic populations, aligns with national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas.
The economic fluctuations in Ruskin Hills, particularly the dip in median income in the mid-2010s followed by a recovery, mirror broader economic trends seen in many working-class and middle-class neighborhoods following the recovery from the 2008 financial crisis. While Ruskin Hills maintains its character as a Black majority neighborhood, subtle shifts in demographics and economic indicators suggest a community slowly evolving towards greater diversity and economic recovery. These changes, while gradual, may have implications for community dynamics, local businesses, and public services in the coming years.
