Social Cohesion: Economic Isolation

Poverty Rates by Race, 2000

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Poverty Rates by Race
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Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census

Social isolation leads to economic isolation. As a result, minority poverty rates are three to six times higher than white poverty rates in metropolitan Kansas City and its peers. While our region's black and Hispanic poverty rates of 22.5 percent and 18 percent respectively are too high compared to whites' 5.1 percent rate, these rates place the region right in the middle of the peer group.

Concentrated Poverty

Percentage Living in Concentrated Poverty, 2000

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Poverty Rates by Race
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Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census

Metropolitan Kansas City's pattern of development seems to concentrate minority poverty more than most of its peers. Two-thirds of the region's poor African-Americans live in areas of concentrated poverty — census tracts where poverty rates are 20 percent or more. This is the third highest figure among the peer group.

The percentage of Hispanics living in concentrated poverty is substantially lower, at just over 50 percent, but it is still highest among the region's peers.

Whites in Poverty, 2000


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Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census

While there are more poor whites than poor minorities, poor whites are spread throughout the region, much like the white population in general. This helps poor whites connect to opportunities in the general community and increases the likelihood that poverty is a temporary condition for white families.

Blacks in Poverty, 2000


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Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census

On the other hand, most poor blacks live in concentrated poverty, and most concentrated poverty areas are largely African-American.

These areas are often disconnected from the opportunities in the larger community. As a result, social problems such as unwed mothers, drug usage and unemployment are often significantly more entrenched in areas of concentrated poverty.

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