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Demographic and Economic Trends in West Kensington: A Hispanic Majority Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
West Kensington, a neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is characterized as a Majority-Minority community with a Hispanic Majority. As of 2022, the Hispanic population comprises 66% of the neighborhood. The area faces economic challenges, with a median income of $31,655 in 2022, which is below the national average. West Kensington is notable for its Puerto Rican heritage and has been a center for Hispanic culture in Philadelphia for decades.
Over the past decade, West Kensington has maintained its status as a Majority-Minority community, with the Hispanic population consistently representing the largest racial group. The Hispanic population has slightly decreased from 70% in 2013 to 66% in 2022. The neighborhood has shown signs of increasing diversity. The White population has grown from 9% in 2013 to 17% in 2022. The Black population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 12-17% over the decade. The Asian population has consistently remained low, between 3-5% throughout the period.
The economic landscape of West Kensington has shown improvement over the past decade. The median income has increased from $19,091 in 2013 to $31,655 in 2022, representing a 65.8% increase over nine years. The population has fluctuated, peaking at 11,925 in 2017 and then declining to 9,929 in 2022. This decline coincides with the period of most rapid income growth. The gradual increase in the White population percentage correlates with the rising median income.
West Kensington's demographic and economic trends reflect patterns seen in many urban neighborhoods across the United States. The rising median income and slight demographic shifts are indicative of gentrification processes common in inner-city neighborhoods. The continued Hispanic majority reflects the strong cultural roots of the community, similar to established Hispanic neighborhoods in other cities. Despite improvements, West Kensington's median income remains below the national median, highlighting persistent economic challenges common in many urban minority-majority neighborhoods. The gradual increase in diversity, particularly the growth of the White population, aligns with national trends of increased racial integration in urban areas.
West Kensington presents a picture of a neighborhood in transition. It maintains its Hispanic Majority status while experiencing gradual diversification and economic improvement. These changes present opportunities and challenges, potentially enhancing the area's economic prospects while raising concerns about maintaining its cultural identity and affordability for long-term residents.
