Loading Content...
Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in Ashland Ridge, Kansas City
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
DATA SOURCE
United States Census Bureau: American Community Survey Data (ACS)
Ashland Ridge, a neighborhood in Kansas City, Missouri, exhibits moderate diversity as of 2022. The demographic composition consists of 39% Black residents, 33% White residents, 20% Hispanic residents, and 8% multiracial population. The neighborhood's median income in 2022 was $18,796, which represents a decrease from previous years.
Over the past decade, Ashland Ridge has undergone significant demographic changes. In 2013, the neighborhood had a White plurality with 44% of the population identifying as White. By 2022, the community transitioned to a moderate diversity status with no single racial group holding a clear majority. The Black population fluctuated but generally increased from 40% in 2013 to 45% in 2020, before settling at 39% in 2022. The Hispanic population grew from 13% in 2013 to 20% in 2022. The multiracial category increased from 3% in 2013 to 12% in 2021, before settling at 8% in 2022.
The economic trajectory of Ashland Ridge has been volatile over the past decade. The median income increased from $24,813 in 2013 to a peak of $31,939 in 2019. However, there was a decline to $18,794 in 2020, with slight improvements in the following years. This decrease coincides with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The population fluctuated, reaching a high of 1,681 in 2018 before declining to 1,272 in 2022.
The demographic shifts in Ashland Ridge align with broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas. The growth in the Hispanic population and multiracial categories is consistent with national patterns. The decline in median income since 2020 is more severe than national averages, suggesting that Ashland Ridge may have been particularly vulnerable to economic shocks.
The transition from a White plurality to moderate diversity over a decade is a significant change. This shift potentially reflects broader demographic changes in Kansas City or changes in housing affordability that have attracted a more diverse population to the area.
Ashland Ridge exemplifies a community in transition, both demographically and economically. The increasing diversity could bring new cultural aspects to the neighborhood. The economic challenges, particularly since 2020, present significant obstacles for community development and stability. Local policymakers and community leaders may need to focus on economic revitalization efforts while supporting the neighborhood's growing diversity to ensure a stable future for Ashland Ridge.
