Maps offer intriguing look at SM East area census data on race, schooling and income

The New York Times recently released a robust interactive map that pits data estimates from recent U.S. Census surveys against data from the 2000 Census. The maps provide a compelling visualization of a number of social and economic realities in our area.

For instance, a map depicting the percent of elementary students in private schools shows how stark a difference living across the state line makes. Just 15 to 20 percent of elementary students in the SM East area are enrolled in private schools. In the census tracts just across State Line Road, the figure jumps to between 72 and 95 percent. The darker the blue, the more kids are enrolled in private school:

Click here for the fully interactive map.

It probably won’t surprise many people to see that the SM East area is not particularly racially diverse. What is striking, however, is how dramatically the racial makeup of the Kansas City metro changes east of Troost Avenue. Each dot represents 50 people. White people are represented by green dots. Black people are represented by blue dots:

Click here for the fully interactive map.

The maps also offer a glimpse into area economic trends over the past decade. Though Mission Hills is far and away the most wealthy municipality in the area, with 38 percent of residents in its primary census tract earning more than $200,000 a year (the red dots)…:

Click here for the fully interactive map.

…relatively, speaking, it’s been a rough decade for Mission Hills residents. The median household income in Mission Hills has fallen 29 percent since 2000, to $141,111. The residents of north Leawood, on the other hand, have seen their median household income grow by more than 10 percent. Dark blue represents a significant trend downward in median income. The darker tan represents median income growth:

Click here for the fully interactive map.

If you’re poking around with the map and find an interesting view of the area, drop us a line.