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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in Hickman Mills: An Analysis of White Plurality and Increasing Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Hickman Mills, a neighborhood in Kansas City, Missouri, currently exhibits a Moderate Diversity profile with a White Plurality. As of 2022, the racial composition shows 45% White, 32% Black, and 11% Hispanic populations, with 9% identifying as two or more races. The median income of $38,338 in 2022 reflects a lower-middle-income community. Hickman Mills has historically been known for its strong ties to the education sector, with the Hickman Mills C-1 School District being a significant presence in the area.
Over the past decade, Hickman Mills has undergone a significant transformation in its racial composition. In 2013, the neighborhood exhibited a Black Plurality, with 42% Black and 37% White populations. By 2016, it had shifted to a Black Majority at 49%. However, from 2017 onwards, the community began transitioning towards a more diverse makeup. By 2022, it had evolved into a Moderate Diversity community with a White Plurality.
This shift can be attributed to several factors: An increase in the White population from 37% in 2013 to 45% in 2022. A decrease in the Black population from 42% in 2013 to 32% in 2022. A notable rise in the Hispanic population from 13% in 2013 to a more stable 11-12% in recent years. A significant increase in those identifying as two or more races, from 1% in 2013 to 9% in 2022. These changes suggest a Transitional Community, with increasing diversity over the last five years, particularly evident in the growth of multiracial identifications.
The demographic shifts correlate with economic changes: The median income fluctuated over the decade, peaking at $44,583 in 2019 before dropping to $34,687 in 2020, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a slight recovery trend, with income rising to $38,338 in 2022. The population has seen overall decline from a peak of 8,516 in 2014 to 6,996 in 2022, which could indicate outmigration possibly related to economic factors. The economic downturn coincides with the shift towards greater diversity, suggesting that changing economic conditions may have influenced demographic patterns.
The trends in Hickman Mills reflect broader national patterns of increasing diversity in urban areas. The growth in multiracial identifications aligns with national trends seen in the 2020 Census, where the multiracial population in the U.S. grew significantly. However, the economic challenges faced by Hickman Mills, particularly the sharp income decline in 2020, may be more pronounced than national averages, potentially indicating localized impacts of the pandemic or other economic factors specific to the Kansas City area.
The transition from a Black Plurality to a White Plurality, coupled with increasing diversity, suggests a complex interplay of factors including possible gentrification, changing housing markets, or shifts in employment opportunities that may be reshaping the neighborhood's demographic landscape. Hickman Mills exemplifies a community in transition, moving towards greater diversity while grappling with economic challenges. These changes likely have significant implications for local institutions, community cohesion, and future development strategies in the neighborhood.
