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Demographic Transition and Racial Composition in Pendleton Heights, Kansas City
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Pendleton Heights, a neighborhood in Kansas City, Missouri, demonstrates a Black Plurality demographic composition, with African Americans comprising 47% of the population in 2022. The neighborhood has experienced economic growth, with median income increasing from $21,384 in 2019 to $29,495 in 2022. This urban area is known for its historic architecture and community revitalization efforts.
Over the past decade, Pendleton Heights has transitioned from a Black Majority to a Black Plurality community. In 2013, the neighborhood had a Black Majority with 46% African American residents, which continued until 2018, peaking at 54%. From 2019 onwards, the community shifted to a Black Plurality as the African American population decreased to just below 50%, while other racial groups, particularly white residents, increased their representation.
This transition is part of a Transitional Community trend, with the white population growing from 20% in 2013 to 33% in 2022. The Hispanic population has remained relatively stable, between 15-20% throughout the decade.
The demographic shifts in Pendleton Heights correlate with changes in median income. From 2013 to 2016, when the Black population was highest, the median income decreased from $19,839 to $15,554. As the community became more diverse from 2019 onwards, the median income rose significantly, reaching $29,495 in 2022. This economic improvement coincides with the increase in white residents and could suggest a pattern of gentrification.
The demographic changes in Pendleton Heights reflect broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas. The rapid income growth in Pendleton Heights (a 38% increase from 2019 to 2022) outpaces the national average for urban areas during this period. The 2022 median income of $29,495 is still below the national median household income, which was around $70,784 in 2021.
The population fluctuations over the years, with no clear trend, might indicate a dynamic community with regular turnover. This could be due to factors such as new housing developments, changing job markets, or the neighborhood's increasing attractiveness to different demographic groups.
Pendleton Heights exemplifies a neighborhood in transition, moving from a predominantly African American community to a more diverse urban area with improving economic indicators. These changes bring both opportunities and challenges, potentially altering the cultural fabric of the neighborhood while driving economic growth.
