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Demographic Transition in Timber Valley: From Low to Moderate Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Timber Valley, a neighborhood in Kansas City, Missouri, transitioned from a Low Diversity community with a White Majority to a Moderate Diversity community between 2013 and 2022. The white population decreased from 75% to 59%, while the Black population increased from 16% to 24%. The Hispanic population grew from 6% to 11%, and the two or more races category increased from 1% to 5%. These changes reflect broader trends of increasing diversity in urban areas.
The median income in Timber Valley remained relatively stable over the decade. In 2013, the median income was $58,643, and by 2022 it was $57,005, showing a slight decrease. There was a peak in 2019 at $65,695, followed by a decline that coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. The stability of median income despite increasing diversity suggests that the neighborhood maintained its economic character while becoming more inclusive.
The trends observed in Timber Valley align with broader national patterns of increasing diversity in suburban and urban neighborhoods. Many U.S. cities have experienced similar transitions from low diversity to moderate or high diversity communities over the past decade. The stability in median income despite demographic changes is notable and may differ from some national trends where rapidly diversifying neighborhoods sometimes experience more significant economic shifts.
The increase in the Hispanic population and those identifying as two or more races is consistent with national demographic trends, reflecting the growing multiracial population and the increasing Hispanic presence in many U.S. communities.
The neighborhood's population has fluctuated over the years but has remained relatively stable overall, decreasing slightly from 2,124 in 2013 to 2,066 in 2022. This stability in population size, combined with increasing diversity and steady income levels, suggests that Timber Valley has managed its transition without significant disruption to its community fabric.
Timber Valley represents a microcosm of America's changing demographics, transitioning from a Low Diversity, White Majority community to a more diverse neighborhood while maintaining economic stability. This evolution reflects broader societal shifts towards multiculturalism in urban and suburban areas, positioning Timber Valley as a model of gradual, stable demographic transition in the context of Kansas City and the wider United States.
