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Demographic Trends in Stayton Meadows: A Study of Racial Composition
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Stayton Meadows, a neighborhood in Kansas City, Missouri, exhibits a White Majority demographic profile with moderate diversity. As of 2022, the white population constitutes 61% of the community, with Black (21%) and Hispanic (14%) minorities. The neighborhood has experienced modest population growth over the past decade, reaching 5,272 residents in 2022. The median income was $58,998 in 2022, representing a middle-class suburban area within Kansas City.
Over the past decade, Stayton Meadows has maintained its status as a White Majority community, but with shifts towards increased diversity. In 2013, the neighborhood was categorized as Low Diversity, with the white population at 66% and two other significant racial groups (Black at 22% and Hispanic at 9%). By 2022, the community had transitioned to Moderate Diversity, with the white population decreasing to 61% and the Hispanic population growing to 14%.
The most significant change has been the steady increase in the Hispanic population, rising from 9% in 2013 to 14% in 2022. This trend, coupled with a slight decrease in the white population and relatively stable Black population, suggests that Stayton Meadows is becoming a Transitional Community. The growth in the Hispanic population and the increase in residents identifying as two or more races (from 1% to 2-3% in recent years) further supports this categorization.
The demographic shifts in Stayton Meadows have occurred alongside fluctuations in median income. From 2013 to 2022, the median income increased from $57,873 to $58,998, a 1.9% growth over nine years. This overall trend masks significant year-to-year variations. The community experienced a peak in median income in 2021 at $66,335, followed by a decline in 2022.
These economic fluctuations may be influencing the demographic changes. The increase in diversity, particularly the growth of the Hispanic population, could be attributed to the neighborhood's relative affordability compared to other parts of Kansas City. The recent drop in median income might accelerate this trend, potentially attracting more diverse, middle-income families to the area.
The demographic shifts observed in Stayton Meadows align with broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban areas. Many U.S. suburbs have experienced growth in minority populations, particularly Hispanic and Asian communities, over the past decade. The income growth in Stayton Meadows is lower than the national average, which saw more significant increases in median household income during the same period.
The neighborhood's transition towards greater diversity, while maintaining a white majority, reflects a common pattern in many midwestern cities where demographic changes are occurring gradually. The economic fluctuations, particularly the recent drop in median income, may be indicative of broader economic challenges faced by middle-class suburban communities across the United States.
Stayton Meadows is undergoing a gradual but significant demographic transition, moving from a low-diversity to a moderately diverse community. This shift, coupled with modest economic growth and recent income volatility, suggests that the neighborhood is at a crossroads. The coming years will likely determine whether Stayton Meadows continues its trajectory towards greater diversity and how these changes will shape the community's economic and social fabric.
