Population 4,605 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in West Plaza
Household size in West Plaza
| Period | West Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1.65 | 2.57 | 2.49 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 1.68 | 2.60 | 2.52 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 1.70 | 2.59 | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 1.59 | 2.55 | 2.49 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.06 | −0.02 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in West Plaza are small: just 1.59 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. Of Kansas City's 45 neighborhoods, only two have smaller 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 West Plaza
| Period | West Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.9 | 37.5 | 38.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 31.2 | 37.9 | 39.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 30.7 | 38.8 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 35.3 | 39.2 | 40.1 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.4 | +1.7 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
West Plaza is young: half of its residents are under 35.3, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. The median age has climbed from 31.9 in 2006–10, but in a place this small, survey estimates can swing a lot from one release to the next.
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 West Plaza
| Period | West Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.7% | 11.7% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 4.8% | 11.9% | 11.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 4.1% | 11.2% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.7% | 10.9% | 11.0% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.0 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in West Plaza: 5.7% of households, against 11.6% nationally. West 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 West Plaza
Renters in West Plaza
| Period | West Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 65.6% | 31.2% | 30.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 67.3% | 33.7% | 32.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 66.7% | 34.9% | 33.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 66.1% | 34.2% | 31.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.5 pts | +3.0 pts | +1.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in West Plaza rent: 66.1% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Nearly half of owners (48.0%) have paid off their mortgages, 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 West Plaza
| Period | West Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.6% | 10.0% | 11.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.3% | 9.7% | 12.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 14.7% | 9.0% | 12.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 10.0% | 7.5% | 10.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | −7.6 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in West Plaza is close to the national rate: 10.0% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. The rate is higher than in the Kansas City area as a whole (7.5%).
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 West Plaza
| Period | West Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1948 | 1976 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1948 | 1977 | 1975 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1948 | 1977 | 1976 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1948 | 1980 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +0 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in West Plaza is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1948, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. West Plaza has older homes than most Kansas City neighborhoods.
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 West Plaza
| Period | West Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $833 | $897 | $740 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $973 | $980 | $816 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,184 | $1,095 | $899 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,434 | $1,395 | $1,122 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$601 | +$498 | +$383 | +$606 |
A typical rental in West Plaza costs $1,434 a month with utilities, below the national median of $1,571. That is in line with the rest of the Kansas City area. Rent takes 26.0% of the typical renter's income, comfortably 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 West Plaza
Bachelor's degrees in West Plaza
| Period | West Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 59.0% | 33.5% | 26.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 69.9% | 34.1% | 27.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 70.4% | 37.1% | 29.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 71.6% | 39.7% | 32.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +12.7 pts | +6.2 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
West Plaza is highly educated: about seven in ten adults 25 and older (71.6%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. Of Kansas City's 45 neighborhoods, only two have 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 West Plaza
| Period | West Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 95.8% | 90.5% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 98.8% | 90.9% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 97.9% | 91.8% | 90.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 98.5% | 92.9% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.7 pts | +2.4 pts | +5.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in West Plaza: 98.5% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. West Plaza has a higher 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 West Plaza
| Period | West Plaza | Kansas City area | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.9% | 6.8% | 7.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.9% | 7.6% | 8.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 1.6% | 4.0% | 4.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.5% | 4.0% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.4 pts | −2.9 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in West Plaza has been low: just 1.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. West Plaza has lower unemployment than at least four in five Kansas City neighborhoods. 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).
West 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Plaza | 1.59 | 35.3 | 5.7% | 66.1% | 10.0% | 1948 | $1,434 | 71.6% | 98.5% | 1.5% |
| South Plaza | 1.65 | 39.9 | 4.7% | 58.0% | 29.9% | 1974 | $1,734 | 81.8% | 98.9% | 3.6% |
| Volker | 1.75 | 36.8 | 6.4% | 61.0% | 11.9% | 1939 | $1,169 | 63.8% | 98.0% | 4.0% |
| Southmoreland | 1.58 | 33.1 | 3.2% | 62.5% | 18.7% | 1953 | $1,238 | 65.1% | 95.0% | 2.5% |
| Rosedale | 2.00 | 36.8 | 10.9% | 61.7% | 13.8% | 1960 | $1,281 | 37.9% | 91.1% | 4.0% |
| 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% |
| Oak Park Northwest | 2.23 | 44.8 | 12.6% | 49.2% | 18.9% | 1939 | $943 | 12.4% | 86.7% | 12.9% |
| North Town Fork Creek | 2.17 | 41.7 | 17.9% | 48.4% | 15.0% | 1949 | $833 | 13.2% | 80.5% | 8.2% |
| Ward Parkway | 2.16 | 43.8 | 4.0% | 22.0% | 5.9% | 1940 | $1,392 | 65.1% | 97.9% | 6.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Rosewood, Austin, TX · Mayfield, Wilmington, DE · Meadowlawn, St. Petersburg, FL · Mechanicsville, Atlanta, GA · Milkhouse, Mobile, AL · Mullford Gardens, San Leandro, CA · Muscupiabe, San Bernardino, CA · Riverside South, San Antonio, TX · Rockwood, Spokane, WA · Roebuck, Birmingham, AL
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 West 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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