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Columbia Park: From Low to Moderate Diversity with Shifting Racial Demographics
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Columbia Park, a neighborhood in Minneapolis, Minnesota, exhibits characteristics of a "Moderate Diversity" community with a "White Plurality." As of 2022, the white population comprises 55% of residents, while Black residents make up 31%, indicating a significant presence of multiple racial groups. The neighborhood has experienced notable demographic shifts over the past decade, alongside fluctuations in median income. Columbia Park is located near the Mississippi River and was formerly home to Columbia Park Airport, which operated until the 1930s.
In 2013, Columbia Park could be categorized as having a "White Majority" with 73% of the population identifying as white. Over the past decade, the neighborhood has transitioned towards greater diversity. By 2022, the white population decreased to 55%, while the Black population increased from 18% to 31%. This shift moved the neighborhood from a "White Majority" to a "White Plurality" status, bordering on becoming a "Majority-Minority" community.
The Asian and Hispanic populations have also seen modest increases, contributing to the overall diversification. The percentage of residents identifying as two or more races has tripled from 2% to 6% between 2013 and 2022, indicating a trend towards increasing multiracial representation. These changes suggest Columbia Park is becoming a "Transitional Community," with consistent increases in minority populations over the years.
The median income in Columbia Park has shown an overall upward trend, rising from $59,706 in 2013 to $61,803 in 2022. This growth has not been linear. The neighborhood experienced a drop in median income between 2013 and 2016, falling to $53,719. From 2016 to 2021, there was an increase in median income, peaking at $74,530 in 2021. The population of Columbia Park has fluctuated, declining from 2013 to 2017 before increasing. The population grew from 3,725 in 2017 to 5,616 in 2022, a 50% increase.
The demographic shifts in Columbia Park mirror broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States, where historically white-majority neighborhoods are becoming more diverse. The increase in the Black population percentage is particularly notable. The economic trajectory of Columbia Park, with its recent upward trend in median income, is somewhat contrary to national trends that have seen stagnating middle-class incomes.
The significant population growth in recent years, especially during a period of increasing diversity, suggests that Columbia Park has attracted new residents while retaining its appeal. This growth could be part of a larger trend of urban revitalization seen in many U.S. cities, where inner-city neighborhoods experience renewed interest and investment.
Columbia Park exemplifies a neighborhood in transition, moving from low to moderate diversity with improving economic indicators. The community's ability to grow its population while diversifying and increasing median income suggests a positive trajectory that could serve as a model for other neighborhoods navigating similar demographic changes.
