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Demographic Analysis of Chicago's Gold Coast: A Predominantly White Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Gold Coast neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois, currently exhibits a Low Diversity demographic profile, with a White Majority of 85% as of 2022. This affluent area is known for its high-end boutiques, luxury high-rise apartments, and historic mansions along Lake Shore Drive. With a median income of $123,975 in 2022, it stands as one of Chicago's wealthiest neighborhoods, attracting professionals and affluent residents.
Over the past decade, the Gold Coast has consistently maintained its status as a Low Diversity neighborhood with a strong White Majority. The white population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 82% and 85% from 2013 to 2022. Despite this overall stability, there have been subtle shifts in other racial groups. The Asian population increased from 6% in 2013 to 8% in 2019, before settling at 5% in 2022. The Black population remained relatively constant, ranging between 1% and 3%. The Hispanic population showed a slight increase from 3% in 2013 to 5% in 2021, settling at 4% in 2022. The population identifying as two or more races grew from less than 1% in 2013 to 4% in 2022, indicating a gradual increase in multiracial residents.
The Gold Coast has maintained its status as an affluent neighborhood throughout the decade. The median income has shown an overall upward trend, from $121,404 in 2013 to $123,975 in 2022, with a peak of $126,355 in 2019. This economic stability aligns with the relatively unchanged demographic composition, suggesting that the neighborhood's high property values and exclusive reputation continue to attract a predominantly affluent, white population.
Population figures have remained relatively stable, with a slight overall increase from 15,842 in 2013 to 15,410 in 2022, peaking at 16,103 in 2015. This stability in population, coupled with consistent high median incomes, indicates that the Gold Coast has maintained its desirability and exclusivity over the decade.
The Gold Coast's demographic stability contrasts with broader trends in many urban areas across the United States, where increased diversity and gentrification have led to more significant demographic shifts. Chicago as a whole is known for its diversity, with a 2020 racial composition of approximately 33% white, 29% Black, 29% Hispanic, and 7% Asian. The Gold Coast's persistently high white majority and high median income set it apart from these citywide demographics, highlighting its unique position as an enclave of wealth and relative homogeneity within a diverse city.
The slight increases in Asian, Hispanic, and multiracial populations in the Gold Coast, though small, may reflect broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas. However, the pace of change in this neighborhood is much slower than in many other urban neighborhoods across the country, likely due to its established reputation and high cost of living, which may limit accessibility for more diverse populations.
In conclusion, while the Gold Coast has seen minor demographic shifts over the past decade, its overall character as a predominantly white, affluent neighborhood has remained largely unchanged. The subtle increases in diversity, particularly in the Asian and multiracial populations, suggest a very gradual trend towards increased diversity, but at a pace that has not significantly altered the neighborhood's demographic or economic profile.
