Population 7,180 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Kensington
Household size in Kensington
| Period | Kensington | Kansas City | Kansas City area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.19 | 2.75 | 2.57 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.27 | 2.78 | 2.60 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.04 | 2.76 | 2.59 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.44 | 2.84 | 2.55 | 2.53 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.25 | +0.09 | −0.02 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Kensington are large by national standards, averaging 3.44 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Household size has climbed from 3.19 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. Kensington has the largest households of any Kansas City neighborhood.
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 Kensington
| Period | Kensington | Kansas City | Kansas City area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 33.5 | 34.5 | 37.5 | 37.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 29.2 | 34.6 | 37.9 | 37.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 33.7 | 34.9 | 38.8 | 38.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 32.0 | 35.2 | 39.2 | 38.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | −1.4 | +0.7 | +1.7 | +1.4 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 32.0, Kensington is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young families with children. The median age has dropped from 33.5 in 2006–10, even as the national median rose. Only two of Kansas City's 14 neighborhoods are younger.
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 Kensington
| Period | Kensington | Kansas City | Kansas City area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.0% | 17.5% | 11.7% | 10.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.4% | 19.0% | 11.9% | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 14.9% | 15.9% | 11.2% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 14.6% | 17.0% | 10.9% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| Change | −4.4 pts | −0.5 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are more common in Kensington than nationally: 14.6%, against 11.6%. Even so, single parents are less common here than in Kansas City overall (17.0%). The single-parent share is down 4.4 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Kensington
Renters in Kensington
| Period | Kensington | Kansas City | Kansas City area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.0% | 37.4% | 31.2% | 30.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 43.8% | 41.5% | 33.7% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 47.1% | 43.7% | 34.9% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 38.7% | 39.1% | 34.2% | 32.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.8 pts | +1.7 pts | +3.0 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Nearly four in ten households in Kensington rent their homes (38.7%), a bit above the national share of 34.8%. Nearly half of owners (48.0%) have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the west and least common in the northeast. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 2.8 points, in line with the national trend.
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 Kensington
| Period | Kensington | Kansas City | Kansas City area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.4% | 15.3% | 10.0% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.1% | 13.6% | 9.7% | 10.4% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 16.5% | 12.1% | 9.0% | 11.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.2% | 11.1% | 7.5% | 9.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.2 pts | −4.2 pts | −2.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Kensington: 18.2% 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. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 3.2 points, as it has nationally.
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 Kensington
| Period | Kensington | Kansas City | Kansas City area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1949 | 1961 | 1976 | 1971 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1948 | 1961 | 1977 | 1972 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1950 | 1962 | 1977 | 1973 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1950 | 1962 | 1980 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +0 | +1 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in Kensington is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1950, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. Newer construction is concentrated in the south, while the northeast has the oldest housing.
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 Kensington
| Period | Kensington | Kansas City | Kansas City area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $793 | $761 | $897 | $769 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $774 | $862 | $980 | $858 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $882 | $951 | $1,095 | $950 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,087 | $1,252 | $1,395 | $1,159 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$294 | +$491 | +$498 | +$390 | +$606 |
The median renter in Kensington pays $1,087 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $294 a month since 2006–10, up 37%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 29.2% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
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 Kensington
Bachelor's degrees in Kensington
| Period | Kensington | Kansas City | Kansas City area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.9% | 14.9% | 33.5% | 30.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.0% | 15.3% | 34.1% | 31.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 11.8% | 17.7% | 37.1% | 33.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 19.6% | 20.9% | 39.7% | 35.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +9.7 pts | +6.0 pts | +6.2 pts | +4.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Kensington: 19.6% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 9.7 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the center and least in the southwest.
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 Kensington
| Period | Kensington | Kansas City | Kansas City area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 62.0% | 78.1% | 90.5% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 57.1% | 77.3% | 90.9% | 90.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 68.2% | 77.7% | 91.8% | 90.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 71.8% | 80.6% | 92.9% | 91.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +9.7 pts | +2.5 pts | +2.4 pts | +2.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly three in ten adults in Kensington never finished high school, well above the national share: only 71.8% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma has risen 9.7 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of Kansas City's 14 neighborhoods, only two 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 Kensington
| Period | Kensington | Kansas City | Kansas City area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.5% | 13.0% | 6.8% | 6.1% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 11.3% | 13.3% | 7.6% | 6.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.9% | 7.0% | 4.0% | 4.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.4% | 5.8% | 4.0% | 4.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.1 pts | −7.2 pts | −2.9 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been a little harder to find in Kensington than nationally: unemployment was 6.4%, against 5.4%. Unemployment is down 5.1 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's 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).
Kensington 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kensington | 3.44 | 32.0 | 14.6% | 38.7% | 18.2% | 1950 | $1,087 | 19.6% | 71.8% | 6.4% |
| Northwest | 2.98 | 34.8 | 16.9% | 34.6% | 19.3% | 1949 | $1,148 | 10.7% | 66.7% | 8.4% |
| Riverview | 3.17 | 29.0 | 22.1% | 52.7% | 13.1% | 1952 | $1,022 | 14.3% | 63.5% | 3.8% |
| Strawberry Hill | 2.36 | 35.5 | 19.1% | 65.9% | 12.6% | 1946 | $970 | 18.3% | 79.5% | 14.8% |
| Northeast | 2.53 | 33.6 | 31.5% | 59.3% | 14.1% | 1949 | $820 | 15.6% | 80.2% | 6.7% |
| Coronado | 2.84 | 32.0 | 18.8% | 51.2% | 12.9% | 1963 | $1,101 | 11.6% | 78.2% | 9.0% |
| Bethel Welborn | 2.69 | 35.0 | 12.0% | 24.7% | 8.2% | 1959 | $1,195 | 18.4% | 79.9% | 4.0% |
| Argentine | 2.87 | 37.9 | 16.0% | 44.0% | 7.2% | 1955 | $1,093 | 17.5% | 81.2% | 5.5% |
| Turner | 2.80 | 35.0 | 19.0% | 21.8% | 4.3% | 1965 | $1,325 | 14.5% | 88.6% | 7.5% |
| Central Business District | 1.48 | 31.0 | 4.8% | 82.4% | 10.6% | 1963 | $1,552 | 63.5% | 97.2% | 3.4% |
| Rosedale | 2.00 | 36.8 | 10.9% | 61.7% | 13.8% | 1960 | $1,281 | 37.9% | 91.1% | 4.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Ukrainian Village, Parma, OH · Downtown New Britain, New Britain, CT · East Milton, Milton, MA · Elwood, East Northport, NY · Wilbur, Trenton, NJ · West Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ · Franklin Randolph, Boise, ID · University Park, Irvine, CA · University City South, Charlotte, NC · Wooded Area, San Diego, CA
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 Kensington. 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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