Population 2,905 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in South Plaza
Household size in South Plaza
| Period | South Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1.61 | 2.57 | 2.49 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 1.56 | 2.60 | 2.52 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 1.66 | 2.59 | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 1.65 | 2.55 | 2.49 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.04 | −0.02 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in South Plaza are small: just 1.65 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Few Kansas City neighborhoods have smaller households: only three of 45.
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 Plaza
| Period | South Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.1 | 37.5 | 38.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 33.1 | 37.9 | 39.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 36.0 | 38.8 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 39.9 | 39.2 | 40.1 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.8 | +1.7 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
At 39.9, the median age in South Plaza is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The median age has climbed from 38.1 in 2006–10, but in a place this small, much of that may be survey noise rather than real change. South Plaza is older than at least four in five Kansas City neighborhoods.
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 Plaza
| Period | South Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.4% | 11.7% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 2.9% | 11.9% | 11.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 1.7% | 11.2% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.7% | 10.9% | 11.0% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.7 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in South Plaza: 4.7% of households, against 11.6% nationally. South Plaza has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five Kansas City neighborhoods.
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 Plaza
Renters in South Plaza
| Period | South Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 59.0% | 31.2% | 30.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 62.0% | 33.7% | 32.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 64.1% | 34.9% | 33.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 58.0% | 34.2% | 31.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | +3.0 pts | +1.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in South Plaza: 58.0% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Among homeowners, 62.9% 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 South Plaza
| Period | South Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.0% | 10.0% | 11.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 19.4% | 9.7% | 12.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 20.6% | 9.0% | 12.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 29.9% | 7.5% | 10.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | +13.9 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 29.9% of the housing in South Plaza, 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. South Plaza has the highest vacancy rate of any Kansas City neighborhood.
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 Plaza
| Period | South Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1955 | 1976 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1958 | 1977 | 1975 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1976 | 1977 | 1976 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1974 | 1980 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +19 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in South Plaza run a bit older than the national norm, with a median build year of 1974 against 1980. Compared with other Kansas City neighborhoods, though, South Plaza has newer homes than most.
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 Plaza
| Period | South Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $759 | $897 | $740 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $792 | $980 | $816 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,202 | $1,095 | $899 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,734 | $1,395 | $1,122 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$975 | +$498 | +$383 | +$606 |
The median renter in South Plaza pays $1,734 a month for rent and utilities, above the national median of $1,571. Rent takes 29.1% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Only one other Kansas City neighborhood has higher rents.
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 Plaza
Bachelor's degrees in South Plaza
| Period | South Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 65.2% | 33.5% | 26.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 71.7% | 34.1% | 27.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 78.2% | 37.1% | 29.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 81.8% | 39.7% | 32.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +16.6 pts | +6.2 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in South Plaza: 81.8% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher, against 35.6% nationally. Education tends to track local incomes and the kinds of jobs nearby. No other Kansas City neighborhood has a higher share of college graduates.
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 Plaza
| Period | South Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 98.7% | 90.5% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 98.8% | 90.9% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 96.0% | 91.8% | 90.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 98.9% | 92.9% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | +2.4 pts | +5.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in South Plaza: 98.9% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Few Kansas City neighborhoods have a higher share of high school graduates: only three of 45.
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 Plaza
| Period | South Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.6% | 6.8% | 7.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 3.5% | 7.6% | 8.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.6% | 4.0% | 4.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.6% | 4.0% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.0 pts | −2.9 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been easier to find in South Plaza than nationally: unemployment was 3.6%, against 5.4%. The picture is much the same across the Kansas City area. 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).
South 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Plaza | 1.65 | 39.9 | 4.7% | 58.0% | 29.9% | 1974 | $1,734 | 81.8% | 98.9% | 3.6% |
| West Plaza | 1.59 | 35.3 | 5.7% | 66.1% | 10.0% | 1948 | $1,434 | 71.6% | 98.5% | 1.5% |
| Southmoreland | 1.58 | 33.1 | 3.2% | 62.5% | 18.7% | 1953 | $1,238 | 65.1% | 95.0% | 2.5% |
| Western 49-63 | 2.10 | 35.6 | 5.0% | 18.3% | 4.4% | 1938 | $1,644 | 70.7% | 99.3% | 4.8% |
| Eastern 49-63 | 2.34 | 29.3 | 9.3% | 50.2% | 7.0% | 1938 | $1,395 | 51.8% | 90.1% | 10.6% |
| Blue Hills | 2.24 | 34.8 | 20.9% | 46.9% | 21.8% | 1944 | $1,302 | 22.3% | 92.7% | 7.8% |
| Volker | 1.75 | 36.8 | 6.4% | 61.0% | 11.9% | 1939 | $1,169 | 63.8% | 98.0% | 4.0% |
| Rosedale | 2.00 | 36.8 | 10.9% | 61.7% | 13.8% | 1960 | $1,281 | 37.9% | 91.1% | 4.0% |
| North Town Fork Creek | 2.17 | 41.7 | 17.9% | 48.4% | 15.0% | 1949 | $833 | 13.2% | 80.5% | 8.2% |
| Oak Park Northwest | 2.23 | 44.8 | 12.6% | 49.2% | 18.9% | 1939 | $943 | 12.4% | 86.7% | 12.9% |
| Blenheim Square | 2.45 | 35.1 | 22.1% | 54.6% | 17.9% | 1948 | $1,030 | 20.6% | 87.0% | 6.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Homeland, Baltimore, MD · Southchase Village, Southchase, FL · Three Chopt, Richmond, VA · Newfield, Stamford, CT · Vale and Eastern Avenue, Schenectady, NY · Lakewood, Warwick, RI · Huckleberry Fields, Alafaya, FL · Happy Hollow, Valley Falls, RI · Artisan, Bakersfield, CA · Franz Park, St. Louis, MO
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 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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