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Somerset Acres West: A Study of Racial Homogeneity in a Kansas Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Somerset Acres West, located in Prairie Village, Kansas, is a neighborhood characterized by low diversity with a predominantly white population of 95% in 2022. The area has maintained a stable racial composition over the past decade, with minimal representation from other racial groups. The neighborhood's median income was $94,790 in 2022, indicating an affluent area despite recent fluctuations. Somerset Acres West has a small population of approximately 1,200-1,400 residents.
Throughout the period from 2013 to 2022, Somerset Acres West consistently maintained low diversity. The white population remained above 90% for the entire period, with minor fluctuations. A slight trend towards increased diversity occurred between 2016 and 2019, with the Hispanic population growing from 1% to 7%, but this trend reversed in recent years. The community has not transitioned between diversity categories, maintaining its status as a predominantly white neighborhood.
The median income in Somerset Acres West has shown volatility over the decade. From 2013 to 2017, the median income remained relatively stable around $123,000-$130,000. A significant drop occurred in 2018 and 2019, with the median income falling to approximately $104,000. Income rebounded in 2020 and 2021 to about $125,000, before dropping again in 2022 to $94,790. These economic fluctuations do not appear to correlate strongly with the minor demographic shifts observed.
The population has remained relatively stable, with a slight increase from 1,357 in 2013 to 1,429 in 2019, followed by a decrease to 1,236 in 2022. This minor population decline coincides with the recent decrease in median income.
Somerset Acres West's demographic composition differs significantly from national averages. In 2022, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the white population in the United States at about 59%, much lower than the 95% observed in this neighborhood. This suggests that Somerset Acres West is considerably less diverse than the nation as a whole.
The median household income in Somerset Acres West, even after the recent decline, remains well above the national median, which was around $70,000 in 2021. This indicates that despite recent fluctuations, the neighborhood remains relatively affluent compared to national standards.
The stability of the racial composition in Somerset Acres West contrasts with national trends towards increasing diversity in many urban and suburban areas. This could suggest that the neighborhood has specific characteristics that have maintained its demographic homogeneity over time.
Somerset Acres West presents as a stable, predominantly white, affluent neighborhood that has resisted broader national trends towards increased diversity. While it has experienced economic volatility, particularly in recent years, it remains a high-income area relative to national averages. The community's resistance to demographic change amid economic fluctuations could be a subject for further study, particularly in understanding the factors that maintain such stability in an increasingly diverse national landscape.
