Population 2,393 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Independence Plaza
Household size in Independence Plaza
| Period | Independence Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.37 | 2.57 | 2.49 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.47 | 2.60 | 2.52 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.55 | 2.59 | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.45 | 2.55 | 2.49 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.08 | −0.02 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
The average household in Independence Plaza has 2.45 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Independence Plaza
| Period | Independence Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.8 | 37.5 | 38.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 33.6 | 37.9 | 39.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 33.5 | 38.8 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 39.5 | 39.2 | 40.1 | 40.1 |
| Change | +6.8 | +1.7 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
Half of the people in Independence Plaza are younger than 39.5 and half are older, close to the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 32.8 in 2006–10, but in a place this small, much of that may be survey noise rather than real change.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Independence Plaza
| Period | Independence Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.2% | 11.7% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 17.9% | 11.9% | 11.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 20.9% | 11.2% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 18.3% | 10.9% | 11.0% | 11.6% |
| Change | +5.1 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in six households in Independence Plaza (18.3%), well above the national share of 11.6%. Compared with other Kansas City neighborhoods, Independence Plaza has a higher share of single-parent households than most.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Independence Plaza
Renters in Independence Plaza
| Period | Independence Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 70.7% | 31.2% | 30.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 72.4% | 33.7% | 32.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 68.0% | 34.9% | 33.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 54.3% | 34.2% | 31.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | −16.3 pts | +3.0 pts | +1.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in Independence Plaza: 54.3% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Among homeowners, 59.7% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Independence Plaza
| Period | Independence Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.5% | 10.0% | 11.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 24.9% | 9.7% | 12.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 19.6% | 9.0% | 12.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 19.7% | 7.5% | 10.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.7 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Independence Plaza: 19.7% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Few Kansas City neighborhoods have a higher vacancy rate: only two of 45.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Independence Plaza
| Period | Independence Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1953 | 1976 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1957 | 1977 | 1975 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1954 | 1977 | 1976 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1962 | 1980 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +9 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Independence Plaza is a place of older homes: half were built before 1962, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Independence Plaza
| Period | Independence Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $556 | $897 | $740 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $655 | $980 | $816 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $762 | $1,095 | $899 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,011 | $1,395 | $1,122 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$455 | +$498 | +$383 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Independence Plaza costs $1,011 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. The typical renter here spends 46.2% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Independence Plaza has lower rents than the great majority of Kansas City neighborhoods.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Independence Plaza
Bachelor's degrees in Independence Plaza
| Period | Independence Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.1% | 33.5% | 26.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.3% | 34.1% | 27.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 16.5% | 37.1% | 29.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.3% | 39.7% | 32.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +3.1 pts | +6.2 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Independence Plaza: 17.3% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Compared with other Kansas City neighborhoods, Independence Plaza has a lower share of college graduates than most.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Independence Plaza
| Period | Independence Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 61.8% | 90.5% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 73.3% | 90.9% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 70.7% | 91.8% | 90.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 75.5% | 92.9% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +13.7 pts | +2.4 pts | +5.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
About a quarter of adults in Independence Plaza never finished high school, well above the national share: only 75.5% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Only three of Kansas City's 45 neighborhoods have a lower share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Independence Plaza
| Period | Independence Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.7% | 6.8% | 7.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 17.5% | 7.6% | 8.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 12.2% | 4.0% | 4.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.5% | 4.0% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −14.2 pts | −2.9 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Independence Plaza: 8.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Independence Plaza compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independence Plaza | 2.45 | 39.5 | 18.3% | 54.3% | 19.7% | 1962 | $1,011 | 17.3% | 75.5% | 8.5% |
| Pendleton Heights | 2.59 | 25.8 | 18.6% | 72.9% | 10.1% | 1948 | $1,015 | 38.5% | 80.5% | 11.7% |
| Lykins | 2.62 | 36.1 | 14.5% | 56.6% | 14.1% | 1950 | $1,146 | 9.5% | 69.9% | 6.3% |
| Scarritt Renaissance | 2.72 | 32.0 | 18.5% | 51.5% | 14.2% | 1938 | $1,003 | 28.3% | 78.1% | 5.8% |
| East Community Team North | 2.78 | 38.4 | 18.4% | 50.3% | 14.3% | 1944 | $803 | 6.6% | 58.9% | 10.7% |
| South India Mound | 2.89 | 33.5 | 8.4% | 39.4% | 9.6% | 1938 | $954 | 22.1% | 77.7% | 5.0% |
| Central Business District | 1.48 | 31.0 | 4.8% | 82.4% | 10.6% | 1963 | $1,552 | 63.5% | 97.2% | 3.4% |
| North India Mound | 2.96 | 32.4 | 20.5% | 26.8% | 7.4% | 1942 | $1,090 | 16.8% | 79.8% | 2.4% |
| East Community Team South | 2.26 | 39.8 | 14.0% | 52.5% | 11.8% | 1942 | $1,052 | 7.5% | 66.3% | 6.5% |
| Oak Park Northwest | 2.23 | 44.8 | 12.6% | 49.2% | 18.9% | 1939 | $943 | 12.4% | 86.7% | 12.9% |
| Southmoreland | 1.58 | 33.1 | 3.2% | 62.5% | 18.7% | 1953 | $1,238 | 65.1% | 95.0% | 2.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Upper Bal, San Leandro, CA · Sunnyland, Washington, IL · Lindenwood, Norfolk, VA · Laurel, Oakland, CA · Talus, Issaquah, WA · Lake Houston, Houston, TX · The Flats, Wilmington, DE · Kenwood, Cincinnati, OH · Johnson's Woods, Milwaukee, WI · The Meadows, Sandy Springs, GA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Independence Plaza. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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