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Demographic Trends in Eastwood Hill East: A Study of Racial Composition and Economic Changes
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Eastwood Hill East, a neighborhood in Kansas City, Missouri, currently exhibits Moderate Diversity with a Black Plurality. As of 2022, the racial composition shows 45% Black, 36% White, and 12% Hispanic residents, with a median income of $52,543. The area has experienced significant fluctuations in its demographic makeup over the past decade, reflecting broader urban demographic shifts occurring across many U.S. cities.
The neighborhood has undergone a notable transition in its racial composition over the past decade. In 2013, Eastwood Hill East had a Black Majority, with 47% of the population identifying as Black. By 2017, this had shifted to a White Plurality (47% White, 37% Black), indicating a Transitional Community. The most recent data from 2022 shows a return to a Black Plurality, albeit with a more balanced distribution among racial groups, solidifying its current status as a Moderately Diverse community.
This oscillation between different diversity categories suggests a dynamic and changing neighborhood environment. The Hispanic population has remained relatively stable, hovering around 12-15% throughout the decade, contributing to the area's diversity.
The demographic shifts in Eastwood Hill East correlate with changes in median income. In 2013, when the neighborhood had a Black Majority, the median income was $34,300. As the community transitioned towards greater diversity, there was a general upward trend in median income. By 2022, with the return to a Black Plurality but in a more diverse setting, the median income had increased to $52,543.
This economic improvement coincided with population growth, from 3,404 in 2013 to 3,812 in 2022. The positive correlation between increasing diversity and rising median income suggests that the neighborhood may be experiencing economic revitalization, possibly linked to changing demographics and increased investment in the area.
The demographic evolution of Eastwood Hill East reflects broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States. Many cities have experienced shifts towards greater diversity, often accompanied by economic changes. The neighborhood's transition from a clear racial majority to a more diverse composition aligns with national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas.
The specific pattern of oscillation between Black Majority, White Plurality, and back to Black Plurality may reflect local factors such as development initiatives, changes in housing policies, or shifts in employment opportunities in the broader Kansas City area.
The increase in median income (over 50% growth from 2013 to 2022) outpaces national averages for the same period, suggesting that Eastwood Hill East may be experiencing more rapid economic changes than many other urban neighborhoods. This could be indicative of broader economic development in Kansas City or specific initiatives targeted at this neighborhood.
Eastwood Hill East exemplifies a dynamic urban neighborhood undergoing significant demographic and economic transitions. Its evolution from a predominantly Black community to a more diverse one, coupled with income growth, presents opportunities and challenges for community cohesion and equitable development. The neighborhood's experience offers insights into the interplay between racial demographics, economic factors, and urban development in contemporary American cities.
