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Demographic Analysis of Centennial Neighborhood, Lawrence, Kansas: Low Diversity and Racial Composition
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Centennial neighborhood in Lawrence, Kansas, demonstrates characteristics of Low Diversity, with a white population of 83% in 2022. This predominantly white community has maintained its racial composition over the past decade, with slight fluctuations. The neighborhood has experienced modest income growth, with the median income increasing from $32,816 in 2013 to $35,533 in 2022. Centennial's proximity to the University of Kansas likely influences its demographic makeup and economic characteristics.
Throughout the analyzed period (2013-2022), Centennial has consistently fallen under the Low Diversity category, with the white population remaining above 75% each year. The white population percentage fluctuated between a low of 76% (2014 and 2017) and a high of 84% (2013), ending at 83% in 2022. There was a slight increase in Hispanic representation, from 0% in 2013 to 5% in 2022. The Asian population showed variability, peaking at 11% in 2014 and 2017 but decreasing to 4% by 2022. The "Two or More Races" category increased from 4% in 2013 to 9% in 2018-2020, before settling at 5% in 2022.
The median income in Centennial has shown a general upward trend, with fluctuations. From 2013 to 2022, the median income increased by about 8.3%, from $32,816 to $35,533. There was a notable dip in income between 2015 and 2016, dropping from $30,957 to $30,060. The highest median income was recorded in 2021 at $37,825, before slightly decreasing in 2022.
The economic changes seem to loosely correlate with demographic shifts. The periods of higher Asian population (2014-2015 and 2017) coincided with slightly higher median incomes, possibly reflecting the economic contributions of international students or professionals associated with the university.
The demographic composition of Centennial reflects broader trends in many college towns, where the population tends to be predominantly white but with pockets of diversity often tied to international student and faculty populations. The gradual increase in Hispanic representation aligns with national trends of growing Hispanic populations across the United States.
Economically, the modest income growth in Centennial (about 8.3% over nine years) is lower than the national average wage growth, which was closer to 30% over a similar period. This could be due to the neighborhood's high student population, who typically have lower incomes.
The stability of the white majority in Centennial, despite slight increases in diversity, suggests that while the neighborhood is experiencing some change, it is not undergoing rapid demographic shifts. This stability might be attractive to long-term residents but could potentially limit opportunities for increased cultural diversity and exchange within the community.
