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Demographic Analysis of Low Diversity in Heart of the Westside, Springfield
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Heart of the Westside neighborhood in Springfield, Missouri, exhibits characteristics of Low Diversity, with a predominant White population of 86% in 2022. The median income of $29,073 in 2022 is below the national average, indicating economic challenges within the community. This neighborhood is known for its historic character, featuring many older homes and a strong sense of community identity.
Over the past decade, the Heart of the Westside has consistently maintained its status as a Low Diversity area, with the White population remaining above 75% throughout the period. There have been subtle shifts within this category. The White population decreased slightly from 88% in 2013 to 86% in 2022, indicating a very gradual trend towards increased diversity. The "Two or More Races" category grew from 4% in 2013 to 7% in 2022, suggesting a slow but steady diversification. The Black population fluctuated between 2-6% over the years, with no clear trend. The Hispanic population emerged from 1% in 2013 to 3% in 2020, though dropping back to 1% by 2022.
The median income in the Heart of the Westside has shown a fluctuating pattern. There was a decline from $28,614 in 2013 to $26,359 in 2018, followed by a recovery and growth from 2019 to 2021, reaching $29,823, and a slight decrease in 2022 to $29,073. These economic trends correlate somewhat with the demographic shifts. The period of income decline (2013-2018) coincided with a slight increase in diversity, particularly growth in the Black and Hispanic populations. The income recovery (2019-2021) occurred as the White population percentage increased slightly. The overall modest income growth over the decade parallels the gradual diversification of the neighborhood.
Population trends show a general decline from 2,463 in 2010 to 2,124 in 2022, which could indicate outmigration, possibly due to economic factors.
The demographic trends in the Heart of the Westside reflect broader national patterns of slow but steady diversification in predominantly White neighborhoods. However, the pace of change here appears slower than national averages. The economic struggles evident in the low median income are common in many urban core neighborhoods across the Midwest, often reflecting challenges in transitioning from traditional industries to new economic models.
The persistent low diversity in this neighborhood, despite national trends towards increased diversity, suggests that Springfield may be experiencing slower demographic changes compared to larger urban areas. This could be due to factors such as limited economic opportunities attracting new residents or cultural factors that maintain existing community structures.
While the Heart of the Westside remains categorized as a Low Diversity area with economic challenges, subtle shifts in demographics and fluctuating economic indicators point to a neighborhood in slow transition. The community faces the challenge of balancing its traditional character with the need for economic growth and increased diversity to ensure long-term vitality.
