Loading Content...
Demographic Evolution in Timberland Creek: A Study of Racial Diversity and Population Changes
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Timberland Creek neighborhood in Overland Park, Kansas, presents a case of demographic evolution as of 2022. With a population of 1,174 and a median income of $54,689, this community is categorized as a "Majority-Minority" area. No single racial group constitutes a majority. The neighborhood exhibits moderate diversity, with significant representation from Hispanic (38%) and White (39%) populations, alongside notable Black (17%) and multiracial (6%) communities. Timberland Creek has undergone substantial demographic changes over the past decade, reflecting broader trends of increasing diversity in suburban areas.
Over the past decade, Timberland Creek has transitioned from a "White Majority" community to a "Majority-Minority" area. In 2013, the neighborhood was categorized as having "Low Diversity," with whites comprising 64% of the population. By 2022, this had shifted, with the white population decreasing to 39%. The Hispanic population has seen the most significant growth, increasing from 11% in 2013 to 38% in 2022. This trend indicates that Timberland Creek can also be classified as a "Transitional Community," with consistent increases in Hispanic and multiracial populations over the years.
The Black population has fluctuated but generally increased from 15% in 2013 to 17% in 2022, with some years showing lower percentages. The Asian population has remained consistently low, never exceeding 1%. The median income in Timberland Creek has shown an overall upward trend, rising from $48,408 in 2013 to $54,689 in 2022, with a spike to $69,856 in 2021. This increase in median income correlates with the demographic shifts. The population has fluctuated over the years, with a general increasing trend from 1,159 in 2013 to 1,174 in 2022, peaking at 1,627 in 2019.
The demographic shifts observed in Timberland Creek align with broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban areas. Many U.S. suburbs have experienced similar transitions from predominantly white communities to more diverse, majority-minority areas over the past decade. The growth of the Hispanic population in Timberland Creek reflects a nationwide trend of Hispanic population growth in suburban areas. This shift is often associated with changing immigration patterns, economic opportunities, and the desire for affordable housing outside of urban centers.
The increase in median income alongside increasing diversity challenges some historical narratives that associate demographic changes with economic decline. Instead, Timberland Creek's experience suggests that diversity can coincide with economic growth. This may be due to the influx of skilled workers from various backgrounds or the economic vitality brought by a more diverse community.
Timberland Creek exemplifies the dynamic nature of demographic change in American suburbs. Its transition from a low-diversity, white-majority area to a moderately diverse, majority-minority community over just a decade highlights the rapid pace of demographic shifts occurring in many parts of the country. These changes present both opportunities and challenges for community cohesion, local governance, and economic development, making Timberland Creek an interesting case study in suburban demographic evolution.
