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Demographic Transition in Marlborough East: From Black Majority to Increasing Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Marlborough East, a neighborhood in Kansas City, Missouri, exhibited characteristics of a Racial Majority community in 2022, with Black residents comprising 60% of the population. The neighborhood transitioned from a Low Diversity state to its current composition over the past decade. Economically, Marlborough East experienced an increase in median income, rising from $15,204 in 2013 to $28,083 in 2022, though remaining below the national average. The neighborhood has historical significance in Kansas City's urban development and has been involved in community revitalization efforts.
In 2013, Marlborough East was categorized as a Low Diversity community with a Black Majority, as the Black population constituted 85% of residents. By 2022, while maintaining a Black Majority, the percentage decreased to 60%, indicating a shift towards greater diversity. The White population increased from 12% in 2013 to 30% in 2022, suggesting a trend towards a Moderate Diversity classification. The Hispanic population grew to 7% by 2022, further contributing to the neighborhood's increasing diversity. This trend aligns with the characteristics of a Transitional Community, as a gradual but consistent change in racial composition is observed over the years.
The demographic shifts in Marlborough East correlate with economic changes. As the neighborhood became more diverse, there was a notable increase in median income. From 2013 to 2022, the median income almost doubled from $15,204 to $28,083. This economic improvement coincides with the influx of White residents and the gradual increase in Hispanic population, suggesting a potential link between increased diversity and economic growth. However, the population decreased from 1,861 in 2013 to 1,076 in 2022, potentially indicating a gentrification process where lower-income residents are being displaced as the neighborhood becomes more economically diverse.
The trends observed in Marlborough East reflect broader patterns seen in many urban areas across the United States. The process of neighborhood diversification, often accompanied by economic changes, is a common phenomenon in many cities. However, the rate of change in Marlborough East appears to be more rapid than the national average.
Nationally, many cities have seen a gradual increase in diversity over the past decade, but the shift from 85% Black majority to 60% in ten years is significant. The economic growth in Marlborough East, while substantial, still leaves the neighborhood with a median income well below the national average (which was around $67,000 in 2022), highlighting the ongoing economic challenges faced by the community despite its progress.
The population decrease in Marlborough East contrasts with the overall growth trend seen in many urban areas, suggesting that local factors, possibly related to housing policies or urban development initiatives, may be influencing these demographic shifts more than broader national trends.
Marlborough East presents a case study of a neighborhood in transition, moving from Low Diversity to potentially Moderate Diversity, with accompanying economic changes. These shifts bring both opportunities and challenges, potentially improving overall economic conditions while raising concerns about displacement and community preservation. The neighborhood's evolution underscores the complex interplay between racial demographics, economic development, and urban change in American cities.
