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Demographic Analysis of Historic Bluffs Neighborhood: White Majority and Increasing Racial Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Historic Bluffs neighborhood in Dubuque, Iowa, is characterized by Low Diversity with a white majority comprising 79% of the population as of 2022. The median income in 2022 was $42,984. This historic neighborhood is known for its views of the Mississippi River and 19th-century architecture, contributing to its tourist appeal.
Over the past decade, the Historic Bluffs neighborhood has experienced changes in its racial composition. In 2013, the area had Low Diversity with a white majority of 89%. By 2022, while still maintaining a white majority, the neighborhood showed increased diversity. The white population decreased from 89% to 79% between 2013 and 2022. The Black population increased from 3% in 2013 to 12% in 2019, before decreasing to 2% in 2022. The Hispanic population doubled from 3% to 7% over the decade. The Pacific Islander population increased from 0% to 5% in 2022.
The median income in the Historic Bluffs neighborhood has fluctuated over the past decade. It peaked at $52,832 in 2013 and reached a low of $35,928 in 2015. There was a recovery to $47,908 in 2016, followed by another decline. As of 2022, the median income is $42,984, lower than the 2013 peak but showing some recovery from the 2015 low. These economic fluctuations correlate with the demographic shifts. The period of increasing diversity (2015-2019) coincided with lower median incomes, suggesting that the influx of minority populations may have been driven by more affordable housing opportunities.
The demographic shifts in the Historic Bluffs neighborhood align with broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas. However, the neighborhood's changes are more modest compared to national averages, reflecting Iowa's generally slower pace of demographic change. The economic fluctuations in the neighborhood mirror the challenges faced by many Midwestern cities in maintaining economic stability amidst changing industrial landscapes and population shifts.
The population of the neighborhood has remained relatively stable over the decade, with a slight decrease from 4,025 in 2010 to 3,400 in 2022. This stability, combined with the gradual increase in diversity, suggests a slow but steady transformation of the community's fabric, rather than rapid gentrification or population turnover.
The Historic Bluffs neighborhood remains predominantly white but shows signs of evolving towards greater diversity. The economic challenges reflected in the median income fluctuations may be both a cause and effect of these demographic shifts, creating a complex interplay between racial composition and economic opportunity in this historic Dubuque community.
