Population 3,931 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Ruskin Heights
Household size in Ruskin Heights
| Period | Ruskin Heights | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.02 | 2.57 | 2.49 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.17 | 2.60 | 2.52 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.23 | 2.59 | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.30 | 2.55 | 2.49 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.29 | −0.02 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
Ruskin Heights is a place of big households: 3.30 people per home on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. Numbers like that usually point to plenty of families with kids. Household size has climbed from 3.02 in 2006–10, but in a place this small, much of that may be survey noise rather than real change. No other Kansas City neighborhood has larger households.
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 Ruskin Heights
| Period | Ruskin Heights | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 27.1 | 37.5 | 38.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 27.7 | 37.9 | 39.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 25.5 | 38.8 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 24.8 | 39.2 | 40.1 | 40.1 |
| Change | −2.3 | +1.7 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
Ruskin Heights is young: half of its residents are under 24.8, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward families with many children. Ruskin Heights has the youngest population of any Kansas City neighborhood.
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 Ruskin Heights
| Period | Ruskin Heights | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.5% | 11.7% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 36.7% | 11.9% | 11.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 41.7% | 11.2% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 34.1% | 10.9% | 11.0% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.3 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Ruskin Heights: 34.1% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. No other Kansas City neighborhood has a higher share of single-parent households.
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 Ruskin Heights
Renters in Ruskin Heights
| Period | Ruskin Heights | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.3% | 31.2% | 30.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 54.6% | 33.7% | 32.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 78.1% | 34.9% | 33.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 72.2% | 34.2% | 31.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | +30.9 pts | +3.0 pts | +1.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in Ruskin Heights: 72.2% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Among homeowners, 44.3% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. Few Kansas City neighborhoods have a higher share of renters: only three of 45.
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 Ruskin Heights
| Period | Ruskin Heights | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.5% | 10.0% | 11.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 20.8% | 9.7% | 12.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.1% | 9.0% | 12.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.2% | 7.5% | 10.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.2 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Ruskin Heights: 17.2% 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. Ruskin Heights has a higher vacancy rate than the great majority of Kansas City neighborhoods.
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 Ruskin Heights
| Period | Ruskin Heights | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1958 | 1976 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1959 | 1977 | 1975 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1962 | 1977 | 1976 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1958 | 1980 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | −0 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Ruskin Heights is a place of older homes: half were built before 1958, 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 Ruskin Heights
| Period | Ruskin Heights | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $887 | $897 | $740 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $894 | $980 | $816 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,044 | $1,095 | $899 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,263 | $1,395 | $1,122 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$376 | +$498 | +$383 | +$606 |
The median renter in Ruskin Heights pays $1,263 a month for rent and utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Rent takes 33.5% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
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 Ruskin Heights
Bachelor's degrees in Ruskin Heights
| Period | Ruskin Heights | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.0% | 33.5% | 26.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.5% | 34.1% | 27.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 10.1% | 37.1% | 29.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.9% | 39.7% | 32.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.0 pts | +6.2 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Ruskin Heights have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 14.9%, against 35.6% nationally. Ruskin Heights has a lower share of college graduates than the great majority of Kansas City neighborhoods.
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 Ruskin Heights
| Period | Ruskin Heights | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 80.2% | 90.5% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 78.1% | 90.9% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 87.3% | 91.8% | 90.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 78.9% | 92.9% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | −1.4 pts | +2.4 pts | +5.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in five adults in Ruskin Heights never finished high school, well above the national share: only 78.9% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Ruskin Heights has a lower share of high school graduates than at least four in five Kansas City neighborhoods.
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 Ruskin Heights
| Period | Ruskin Heights | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.2% | 6.8% | 7.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 22.7% | 7.6% | 8.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.7% | 4.0% | 4.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 17.2% | 4.0% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | +3.0 pts | −2.9 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Ruskin Heights runs well above the national rate: 17.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. No other Kansas City neighborhood has higher unemployment. 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).
Ruskin Heights 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruskin Heights | 3.30 | 24.8 | 34.1% | 72.2% | 17.2% | 1958 | $1,263 | 14.9% | 78.9% | 17.2% |
| Hickman Mills | 1.78 | 45.5 | 11.7% | 56.9% | 8.5% | 1967 | $1,208 | 23.0% | 87.8% | 4.0% |
| Fairlane | 2.84 | 36.7 | 21.4% | 49.4% | 9.1% | 1965 | $1,400 | 22.4% | 92.6% | 4.3% |
| Fairwood and Robandee | 2.12 | 39.1 | 5.9% | 35.6% | 7.7% | 1964 | $1,500 | 11.7% | 92.2% | 3.7% |
| Mission Lake | 2.09 | 48.4 | 5.7% | 24.6% | 6.9% | 1985 | $1,862 | 50.0% | 94.6% | 0.0% |
| Park Farms | 2.80 | 34.6 | 9.9% | 45.7% | 9.4% | 1968 | $1,095 | 13.0% | 96.8% | 1.4% |
| Willow Creek | 1.82 | 37.2 | 13.7% | 76.4% | 11.6% | 1977 | $1,254 | 27.2% | 93.5% | 4.1% |
| Marlborough Heights-Marlborough Pride | 2.45 | 30.3 | 29.9% | 54.8% | 18.8% | 1953 | $1,331 | 17.2% | 84.7% | 9.1% |
| East Meyer | 2.61 | 39.6 | 13.4% | 39.8% | 13.8% | 1948 | $1,305 | 19.5% | 84.6% | 11.0% |
| Blenheim Square | 2.45 | 35.1 | 22.1% | 54.6% | 17.9% | 1948 | $1,030 | 20.6% | 87.0% | 6.3% |
| Tower Homes | 2.08 | 37.8 | 5.4% | 20.1% | 6.3% | 1943 | $1,375 | 72.6% | 97.3% | 2.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Deering, Portland, ME · Euclid Ave North, Helena, MT · Enfield Estates, Edinburg, TX · East Omaha, Omaha, NE · East Carollton, New Orleans, LA · Eagle Bay, Kissimmee, FL · Downtown Village of Holly, Holly, MI · Downtown Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ · Downtown Huntsville, Huntsville, AL · Douglas Acres, Des Moines, IA
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 Ruskin Heights. 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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