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Brook Creek: A White Majority Neighborhood with Evolving Racial Composition
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Brook Creek, a neighborhood in Lawrence, Kansas, exhibits characteristics of a White Majority community with moderate diversity. As of 2022, the white population comprises 77% of the neighborhood, while other racial groups have notable representation. The median income of $44,995 in 2022 suggests a middle-class suburban area. Brook Creek is known for its rich history and strong community involvement, with active neighborhood associations and local events that celebrate its diverse heritage.
Over the past decade, Brook Creek has maintained its status as a White Majority community, but with fluctuations in diversity levels. In 2013, the neighborhood showed signs of Moderate Diversity with significant representation from Asian (4%), Black (5%), and Hispanic (6%) populations alongside the white majority (76%). The community briefly approached High Diversity status in 2019 when the white population dropped to 68%, with increased representation from Black (10%) and Native American (5%) residents.
This trend reversed in subsequent years, returning to a more pronounced White Majority by 2022. The most notable shift has been the increase in residents identifying as two or more races, rising from 2% in 2013 to 7% in 2022, indicating a potential Transitional Community aspect in terms of multiracial representation.
The median income in Brook Creek has shown volatility over the past decade. Starting at $46,969 in 2013, it decreased to a low of $39,188 in 2019, coinciding with the period of highest racial diversity. There was a spike to $80,065 in 2021, followed by a return to more moderate levels in 2022 at $44,995. This fluctuation suggests potential gentrification pressures or economic displacement during periods of increased diversity, followed by a possible influx of higher-income residents.
The population has remained relatively stable, hovering around 3,200-3,400 residents throughout the decade. This stability in population size, combined with the income volatility, may indicate changing household compositions or economic circumstances rather than large-scale demographic shifts.
The demographic trends in Brook Creek reflect broader national patterns of increasing multiracial identification and fluctuating diversity in suburban areas. The brief period of increased diversity followed by a return to a stronger white majority mirrors trends seen in many midwestern communities experiencing demographic changes but not sustained shifts.
The economic volatility, particularly the sharp income increase in 2021, may be related to national economic trends during the COVID-19 pandemic, where some communities saw significant short-term income changes due to government assistance programs or shifts in high-paying remote work opportunities.
Brook Creek represents a community in subtle transition, maintaining its White Majority status while experiencing periods of increased diversity and economic fluctuation. The neighborhood's ability to maintain a stable population despite these changes suggests a resilient community fabric, potentially supported by its strong local identity and community engagement. Monitoring these demographic and economic trends will be crucial for understanding the neighborhood's evolving character and addressing any challenges or opportunities that arise from these shifts.
