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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Independence Plaza, a neighborhood in Kansas City, Missouri, exhibits characteristics of a Black Majority community with a significant Hispanic presence. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a population of 3,274 and a median income of $30,416. This area can be categorized as a Transitional Community, showing notable shifts in its demographic makeup over the past decade. Independence Plaza is known for its historical significance in Kansas City's urban development, with architectural elements that reflect its evolution from the early 20th century to the present day.
Over the past decade, Independence Plaza has consistently maintained its status as a Black Majority community, with the African American population representing over 50% of residents throughout the observed period. From 2013 to 2022, the Black population remained the majority, although it experienced a slight decline from 66% to 61%. The Hispanic population showed a steady increase, rising from 9% in 2013 to 20% in 2022, indicating a trend towards increased diversity. The White population saw a marginal decrease from 18% in 2013 to 15% in 2022, maintaining a consistent minority presence. The Asian population remained small but showed some volatility, peaking at 5% in 2014 and 2017 before declining to 1% by 2022.
The economic landscape of Independence Plaza has shown considerable fluctuation over the past decade. The median income experienced significant ups and downs, dropping from $24,608 in 2013 to a low of $20,172 in 2016, before rising dramatically to $40,462 in 2021, and then declining again to $30,416 in 2022. The population has also varied, peaking at 4,325 in 2016 before declining to 3,274 in 2022. This decline coincides with the period of highest income growth. The increase in median income from 2020 to 2022 coincides with the growth of the Hispanic population and a slight decline in the Black majority.
The increasing Hispanic population in Independence Plaza aligns with broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States, where Hispanic communities are growing and diversifying traditionally African American neighborhoods. Despite recent improvements, the median income in Independence Plaza ($30,416 in 2022) likely remains below the national median. The rapid increase in median income from 2020 to 2021, followed by a decline in population, could suggest the early stages of gentrification.
Independence Plaza exemplifies a community in transition, maintaining its Black Majority status while slowly diversifying, particularly with growth in the Hispanic population. The economic volatility and recent income increases, coupled with population decline, suggest a neighborhood potentially on the cusp of significant socio-economic changes, reflective of broader urban demographic shifts and economic pressures observed in many American cities.