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Demographic Shifts in Kenwood, Levittown: Transition from White Majority to Increasing Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Kenwood neighborhood in Levittown, Pennsylvania, is classified as a "Transitional Community" with a "White Majority" as of 2022. The area is moving from "Low Diversity" towards "Moderate Diversity." Kenwood, with a median income of $65,783 in 2022, represents a middle-class suburban community within Levittown, one of the first planned communities in the United States known for its post-World War II suburban development model.
Over the past decade, Kenwood has undergone a notable transformation in its racial composition. In 2013, the neighborhood had "Low Diversity," with a white population of 91%. By 2022, while still maintaining a "White Majority" (68%), the community has shifted towards a more diverse composition, with increases in Hispanic and multiracial populations.
The most significant changes occurred between 2019 and 2022. The Hispanic population increased from 8% to 16%, the proportion identifying as two or more races increased from 0% to 12%, and the white population decreased from 81% to 68%. These shifts indicate a trend towards a more diverse community, potentially transitioning from a "White Majority" to a "Majority-Minority" status in the coming years if current trends continue.
The demographic shifts in Kenwood correlate with fluctuations in median income. From 2013 to 2021, there was a general upward trend in median income, rising from $54,644 to $78,403. However, 2022 saw a drop to $65,783, coinciding with the most dramatic changes in racial composition. This economic fluctuation might be attributed to an influx of new residents from diverse backgrounds, broader economic challenges, or changes in local job markets.
The population has grown from 1,498 in 2013 to 1,883 in 2022, indicating the neighborhood's increasing attractiveness to new residents. The trends observed in Kenwood align with broader national patterns of increasing diversity in suburban areas. Many post-war suburban communities, originally predominantly white, are experiencing similar demographic shifts. This change often reflects generational turnover in housing stock, increased mobility and changing preferences among minority populations, and the impact of fair housing policies and changing societal attitudes.
Nationally, the Hispanic population has been growing rapidly, and the multiracial category has seen significant increases, particularly since the 2020 Census encouraged more nuanced racial identification. The economic fluctuations in Kenwood, particularly the recent downturn, may reflect broader economic challenges such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or inflationary pressures affecting middle-class communities nationwide.
Kenwood exemplifies a suburban community in transition, moving from homogeneity towards greater diversity. This shift brings both opportunities and challenges, potentially reshaping local culture, economic dynamics, and community identity in the years to come.
