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Demographic and Racial Shifts in Central Blue Valley - Park Tower Grade, Kansas City
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Central Blue Valley - Park Tower Grade neighborhood in Kansas City, Missouri, has transitioned from a Black Majority community to a Majority-Minority area with a Hispanic Plurality between 2013 and 2022. As of 2022, the neighborhood's population consists of 47% Hispanic, 25% Black, and 24% White residents. The median income in 2022 was $28,609, indicating a low-income area. The neighborhood is characterized by its industrial heritage and urban revitalization efforts.
Over the past decade, Central Blue Valley - Park Tower Grade has experienced significant demographic changes. In 2013, the community was 57% Black. By 2022, it had transformed into a Majority-Minority area with a Hispanic Plurality. The Hispanic population increased from 11% in 2013 to 47% in 2022, while the Black population decreased from 57% to 25%. The White population remained relatively stable, ranging between 14% and 31% throughout the decade. The neighborhood's diversity level changed from Low Diversity in the early 2010s to Moderate Diversity by 2022.
The neighborhood's median income has shown volatility over the past decade. It increased from $13,259 in 2013 to $28,621 in 2020, before slightly decreasing to $28,609 in 2022. This overall upward trend in income coincided with the demographic shift towards a more diverse population. The population also grew from 976 in 2013 to 1,595 by 2022. The population growth and income increase suggest a period of economic development in the neighborhood.
The demographic shift in Central Blue Valley - Park Tower Grade reflects broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States, where traditionally Black-majority neighborhoods are experiencing an influx of Hispanic residents. This trend is often associated with changing urban dynamics, including gentrification and shifting patterns of immigration.
The economic improvements, while notable, still leave the neighborhood below national income averages. The 2022 median income of $28,609 is less than half of the national median household income, which was around $70,000 in the same year. This indicates that despite progress, the neighborhood continues to face economic challenges.
The transition from a Black Majority to a Hispanic Plurality community, combined with the moderate increase in income, suggests a neighborhood in flux. These changes may be bringing new cultural influences, economic opportunities, and challenges to community cohesion. The relatively low median income, despite improvements, indicates that the area likely continues to face issues related to poverty and may require targeted economic development efforts to further improve living standards for all residents.
