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Demographic Analysis of Auraria: 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
Auraria, a neighborhood in Denver, Colorado, is characterized as a White Majority community with moderate diversity. As of 2022, the white population comprises 68% of residents, with Hispanic (17%) and Black (7%) populations representing significant minority groups. The neighborhood is notable for hosting the Auraria Campus, a shared higher education facility for three institutions: the University of Colorado Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and Community College of Denver.
Over the past decade, Auraria has maintained its White Majority status, but with shifts in its diversity profile. In 2013, the white population was 53% with a Hispanic presence of 22%. By 2022, the white population increased to 68% while the Hispanic population decreased to 17%. This trend indicates a gradual transition towards lower diversity, though still maintaining a moderate diversity classification due to the presence of multiple racial groups with significant representation.
The Black population increased from 3% in 2013 to 7% in 2022, indicating a growing African American presence. The Asian population grew from negligible levels to 3% by 2022, further contributing to the area's diversity. The median income in Auraria has fluctuated significantly over the decade, starting from $86,320 in 2013, peaking at $194,361 in 2017, before settling at $90,948 in 2022.
Periods of highest median income (2017-2018 and 2021) coincide with years when the white population percentage was highest (69-72%), suggesting a possible link between the increasing white majority and higher income levels. The population has grown modestly from 706 in 2013 to 879 in 2022.
The demographic trends in Auraria partially reflect broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas, albeit at a slower pace. While many U.S. cities are moving towards becoming majority-minority, Auraria has maintained and slightly increased its White Majority status over the decade.
The median income in Auraria ($90,948 in 2022) is higher than the national median household income (approximately $70,784 in 2021), indicating that this neighborhood is relatively affluent compared to national averages. This could be influenced by its proximity to educational institutions and the possible influx of higher-income professionals or faculty members.
Auraria's stable population growth contrasts with the rapid growth seen in many parts of Denver over the same period, possibly due to the constraints of being an established urban neighborhood with limited new housing development opportunities.
In conclusion, Auraria has maintained its White Majority status over the past decade while experiencing subtle shifts in racial composition and significant fluctuations in median income. These changes reflect a complex interplay of factors, likely influenced by its unique position as an educational hub within Denver's urban landscape.
