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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Big Dickinson Lake, a neighborhood in Little Rock, Arkansas, has transitioned from a "Moderate Diversity" community to a "Low Diversity" community with a "Black Majority" between 2013 and 2022. The neighborhood's population in 2022 was 866, with a median income of $37,600. Its location near the Arkansas River is significant in Little Rock's urban development.
The racial composition of Big Dickinson Lake has changed significantly over the past decade. In 2013, the neighborhood had "Moderate Diversity" with a Black plurality of 60% and a White population of 16%. By 2022, it had become a "Low Diversity" community with a "Black Majority" of 86%. This shift represents a "Transitional Community" trend towards decreased diversity. The percentage of Black residents increased from 60% in 2013 to 86% in 2022, while the White population decreased from 16% to 10%. The Hispanic population also decreased from 7% to 4%.
The demographic shifts in Big Dickinson Lake have coincided with fluctuations in median income. The median income was $36,149 in 2013, dropped to $26,538 in 2015, and then showed a general upward trend, reaching $37,600 in 2022. The population has been volatile, peaking at 1,340 in 2013, reaching its lowest point of 795 in 2020, before slightly rebounding to 866 in 2022. This population decline, coupled with increasing racial homogeneity, suggests a possible out-migration of non-Black residents.
The trend observed in Big Dickinson Lake contrasts with many urban areas across the United States, which have generally been moving towards greater diversity. The neighborhood's shift towards a more homogeneous racial composition, particularly with an increasing Black majority, is reminiscent of historical patterns of racial segregation seen in some American cities.
The economic trajectory of Big Dickinson Lake, with its recent upward trend in median income, is positive but still places the neighborhood below the national median household income, which was approximately $70,784 in 2021. This suggests that while the neighborhood is experiencing some economic improvement, it still faces economic challenges compared to national averages.
The combination of increasing racial homogeneity and modest economic improvement raises questions about the factors driving these changes. It could be indicative of targeted community development efforts, changes in local housing policies, or shifts in the broader economic landscape of Little Rock that are particularly affecting this neighborhood.
Big Dickinson Lake presents a case of a neighborhood becoming more racially homogeneous over the past decade, contrary to national trends towards diversity. This shift has been accompanied by modest economic improvements, though the area still lags behind national economic indicators. These trends warrant further investigation into local policies, economic factors, and community dynamics that may be driving these demographic and economic patterns.