Population 8,520 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in South Central Improvemen
Household size in South Central Improvemen
| Period | South Central Improvemen | Wichita area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.50 | 2.58 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.58 | 2.64 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.49 | 2.60 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.35 | 2.59 | 2.53 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.15 | +0.01 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
South Central Improvemen is a place of small households, averaging 2.35 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has dropped from 2.50 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the west.
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 South Central Improvemen
| Period | South Central Improvemen | Wichita area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.7 | 36.3 | 37.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 32.8 | 36.6 | 37.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 32.7 | 37.4 | 38.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 39.5 | 37.8 | 38.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | +6.9 | +1.6 | +1.4 | +2.3 |
Half of the people in South Central Improvemen are younger than 39.5 and half are older, close to the national median of 40.1. The population here is older than in the Wichita area overall, where the median age is 37.8. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 32.7, mirroring the country.
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 South Central Improvemen
| Period | South Central Improvemen | Wichita area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.0% | 11.9% | 10.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 21.1% | 11.6% | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 15.4% | 11.6% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 13.6% | 11.7% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| Change | −5.4 pts | −0.2 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are a bit more common in South Central Improvemen than nationally: 13.6%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share has fallen 5.4 points since 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 South Central Improvemen
Renters in South Central Improvemen
| Period | South Central Improvemen | Wichita area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 58.4% | 31.2% | 30.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 59.4% | 33.5% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 65.4% | 35.0% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 57.1% | 34.7% | 32.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | +3.5 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in South Central Improvemen rent: 57.1% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. About half of owners (51.4%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is down 1.3 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
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 South Central Improvemen
| Period | South Central Improvemen | Wichita area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.9% | 9.1% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.5% | 10.1% | 10.4% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 23.6% | 10.2% | 11.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 20.6% | 9.8% | 9.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | +7.8 pts | +0.7 pts | −0.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in South Central Improvemen: 20.6% 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. Vacancy has risen 7.8 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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 South Central Improvemen
| Period | South Central Improvemen | Wichita area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1946 | 1973 | 1971 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1947 | 1974 | 1972 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1946 | 1976 | 1973 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1950 | 1978 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +6 | +5 | +6 |
South Central Improvemen is a place of older homes: half were built before 1950, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The median year built has moved up from 1946 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northwest, the oldest in the east.
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 South Central Improvemen
| Period | South Central Improvemen | Wichita area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $568 | $763 | $769 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $636 | $847 | $858 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $737 | $947 | $950 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $870 | $1,118 | $1,159 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$302 | +$355 | +$390 | +$606 |
Rent in South Central Improvemen runs $870 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $302 a month since 2006–10, up 53%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 28.4% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the northwest; the most affordable are in the southeast.
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 South Central Improvemen
Bachelor's degrees in South Central Improvemen
| Period | South Central Improvemen | Wichita area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.7% | 27.4% | 30.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 7.8% | 29.2% | 31.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 10.1% | 30.6% | 33.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 13.6% | 32.0% | 35.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.8 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in South Central Improvemen: 13.6% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 5.8 points, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the west and least in the southeast.
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 South Central Improvemen
| Period | South Central Improvemen | Wichita area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 73.0% | 88.6% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 69.9% | 89.3% | 90.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 73.7% | 89.9% | 90.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 77.6% | 90.2% | 91.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.6 pts | +1.6 pts | +2.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
More than one in five adults in South Central Improvemen never finished high school, well above the national share: only 77.6% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 4.6 points, in line with the national trend.
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 South Central Improvemen
| Period | South Central Improvemen | Wichita area | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.8% | 7.3% | 6.1% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 11.6% | 7.7% | 6.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.2% | 4.8% | 4.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.0% | 5.0% | 4.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −10.8 pts | −2.3 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been easier to find in South Central Improvemen than nationally: unemployment was 4.0%, against 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 10.8 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. 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).
South Central Improvemen 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Central Improvemen | 2.35 | 39.5 | 13.6% | 57.1% | 20.6% | 1950 | $870 | 13.6% | 77.6% | 4.0% |
| Stanley-Aley | 2.12 | 39.9 | 13.7% | 34.7% | 15.2% | 1957 | $890 | 9.8% | 78.8% | 6.5% |
| South City Community | 2.49 | 36.3 | 12.3% | 57.3% | 18.6% | 1959 | $987 | 9.2% | 71.0% | 2.2% |
| Mead | 2.45 | 38.0 | 21.2% | 56.2% | 12.4% | 1957 | $980 | 12.2% | 83.0% | 10.5% |
| Southwest | 2.49 | 38.3 | 17.9% | 37.2% | 13.1% | 1961 | $1,080 | 12.9% | 90.4% | 3.4% |
| Delano | 2.44 | 33.0 | 8.8% | 59.7% | 14.4% | 1963 | $1,153 | 27.1% | 89.0% | 4.4% |
| Riverside | 2.29 | 39.5 | 14.6% | 41.8% | 7.1% | 1965 | $1,078 | 19.6% | 87.4% | 6.5% |
| Sunflower | 2.48 | 36.5 | 17.8% | 47.5% | 12.1% | 1963 | $929 | 14.9% | 78.8% | 6.8% |
| Southwest Village | 3.14 | 30.4 | 26.8% | 41.1% | 17.0% | 1979 | $853 | 17.4% | 76.3% | 19.8% |
| Historic Midtown | 2.10 | 36.1 | 15.0% | 64.5% | 24.8% | 1947 | $785 | 16.9% | 73.8% | 3.2% |
| College Hill | 2.43 | 35.5 | 6.4% | 34.4% | 10.4% | 1938 | $1,239 | 66.3% | 97.9% | 4.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Bond Hill, Cincinnati, OH · Talmadge, San Diego, CA · Sunnyside, Denver, CO · Downtown High Point, High Point, NC · Guajome, Oceanside, CA · Greenhaven, Sacramento, CA · Nubian Square, Boston, MA · Martin Luther King, Shreveport, LA · Mesa, Santa Barbara, CA · Mill Park, Portland, OR
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 South Central Improvemen. 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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