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Demographic Analysis of Dearborn Park: A White Majority Neighborhood with Moderate Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Dearborn Park, a neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois, exhibits characteristics of a White Majority community with Moderate Diversity as of 2022. The white population comprises 55% of residents, while Asian and Black populations represent 26% and 12% respectively. The neighborhood has a median income of $99,991. Dearborn Park is one of Chicago's first large-scale planned communities developed in the 1970s on former railroad yards, combining residential areas with green spaces.
Over the past decade, Dearborn Park has maintained its status as a White Majority community, with fluctuations. In 2013, the neighborhood was categorized as Moderate Diversity, with no racial group exceeding 50%. The white population increased from 48% in 2013 to 55% in 2022. The Asian population has remained relatively stable around 20-25%, while the Black population has decreased from 17% to 12%. The Hispanic population increased from 6% in 2013 to 11% in 2020-2021, but then decreased to 4% in 2022.
The median income in Dearborn Park has grown from $76,060 in 2013 to $99,991 in 2022, an increase of over 31%. A significant jump in median income occurred between 2014 and 2015, from $77,334 to $100,839, coinciding with an increase in the white population from 51% to 57%. The total population has grown from 2,343 in 2013 to 2,628 in 2022, with fluctuations including a peak of 2,935 residents in 2019.
Dearborn Park's demographic trends partially reflect broader national patterns of increasing diversity in urban areas. However, while many U.S. cities are becoming more diverse, Dearborn Park has maintained and slightly strengthened its white majority. This may be attributed to its status as an affluent, planned community in a major city.
The neighborhood's income growth exceeds national averages, reflecting Chicago's status as a major economic center. The persistent racial composition, with a strong white majority and significant Asian minority, is somewhat atypical for a central urban neighborhood in a diverse city like Chicago. The fluctuations in the Hispanic population, particularly the recent decrease, may be related to broader trends of Hispanic population redistribution in the Chicago area or changes in housing affordability in the neighborhood.
Dearborn Park presents a case of a planned urban neighborhood that has maintained its affluent status and white majority while still exhibiting elements of moderate diversity. The economic growth and demographic stability suggest a desirable living environment, but also raise questions about accessibility and inclusivity in urban development.
