Loading Content...
Demographic Analysis of Longfellow Neighborhood: A Study of Racial Composition and Economic Trends
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Longfellow neighborhood in Iowa City, Iowa, is classified as a Low Diversity community with a White Majority. In 2022, 83% of its population identified as white. The median income for the neighborhood was $44,456 in 2022, placing it in the middle-income range for Iowa. Longfellow is characterized by its historic charm, tree-lined streets, and proximity to the University of Iowa campus.
Over the past decade, Longfellow has maintained its status as a Low Diversity community with a White Majority. The white population decreased from 88% in 2013 to 83% in 2022. The black population increased from 2% in 2013 to 8% in 2018, before decreasing to 4% in 2022. The Hispanic population grew steadily from 3% in 2013 to 7% in 2022. The Asian population remained relatively stable between 0-2% throughout the decade.
The median income in Longfellow has shown significant growth over the past decade. In 2013, the median income was $36,895. It decreased to $29,815 in 2015, but then showed a consistent upward trend, reaching $44,456 in 2022. This represents a 20.5% increase in median income from 2013 to 2022, outpacing inflation.
Population figures in Longfellow have remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 3,765 and 4,403 residents over the decade. This stability, combined with rising incomes, suggests a neighborhood that is becoming increasingly desirable and potentially more expensive to live in.
The trends observed in Longfellow align with broader national patterns of slowly increasing diversity in predominantly white neighborhoods, particularly in university towns. The economic growth outpacing inflation is also consistent with trends seen in many college-adjacent communities across the United States.
Longfellow's rate of diversification appears slower than national averages. While the U.S. as a whole has seen more rapid increases in racial diversity, Longfellow's changes have been more gradual. This could be due to its established character as a historic neighborhood, which might limit new development and rapid demographic shifts.
The economic growth in Longfellow is notable and may be outpacing average income growth in Iowa, potentially reflecting the influence of the university on local employment opportunities and the attractiveness of the neighborhood to higher-income residents.
In conclusion, Longfellow remains a Low Diversity, White Majority community, but shows signs of a Transitional Community, with slow but steady increases in diversity coupled with significant economic growth. These changes suggest a neighborhood that is evolving while maintaining its core character, likely influenced by its proximity to the University of Iowa and its desirable historic attributes.
