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Demographic Analysis of Milwood: A White Majority Neighborhood with Increasing Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Milwood, a neighborhood in Kalamazoo, Michigan, exhibits characteristics of a White Majority community with moderate diversity. As of 2022, the white population constitutes 78% of the residents, while other racial groups, particularly Black residents (15%), contribute to a growing diverse mix. The neighborhood's median income of $55,923 in 2022 suggests a middle-class suburban area. Milwood is known for its well-maintained parks and strong community associations, which have played a role in shaping its demographic evolution over the past decade.
Over the past decade, Milwood has undergone a gradual transition from a Low Diversity community to one with Moderate Diversity. In 2013, the neighborhood was in the Low Diversity category with 82% white population. By 2022, this percentage had decreased to 78%, while the Black population increased from 7% to 15%. This shift indicates a trend towards increased racial diversity, though the area still maintains a White Majority status.
The most significant change occurred between 2016 and 2021, where the Black population percentage rose from 13% to 19%, briefly pushing the neighborhood closer to a High Diversity classification. However, a slight reversal in 2022 brought it back to Moderate Diversity levels. The Hispanic and Asian populations have remained relatively stable, hovering around 3-5% and 1% respectively, contributing to the overall diversity but not significantly altering the demographic landscape.
The demographic shifts in Milwood appear to correlate with changes in median income. From 2013 to 2019, there was a steady increase in median income from $44,619 to $60,340, coinciding with the period of increasing diversity. This suggests that the neighborhood may have become more attractive to a wider range of middle-class families from diverse backgrounds. However, there was a notable dip in median income in 2020 to $55,133, possibly due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The income has since rebounded but remained volatile, reaching $59,120 in 2021 before declining slightly to $55,923 in 2022. This economic fluctuation coincides with the slight reversal in diversity trends observed in the most recent years.
The population of Milwood has remained relatively stable over the decade, fluctuating between 9,800 and 11,000 residents. This stability, combined with the increasing diversity and generally rising incomes, suggests a neighborhood that is gradually evolving while maintaining its core character.
The trends observed in Milwood reflect broader national patterns of increasing diversity in suburban areas. Many middle-class suburbs across the United States have experienced similar demographic shifts, with growing Black and Hispanic populations contributing to increased diversity. The economic trajectory of Milwood, with its rising median income until 2019 followed by pandemic-related fluctuations, also mirrors national trends. Many similar suburban communities experienced economic growth in the mid-2010s, followed by challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Milwood's retention of a strong White Majority distinguishes it from some more rapidly diversifying suburbs in other parts of the country, particularly those near larger metropolitan areas. The neighborhood's gradual pace of change suggests a stable community that is slowly adapting to broader demographic shifts while maintaining much of its traditional character.
Milwood represents a community in transition, moving from Low Diversity to Moderate Diversity over the past decade. This evolution, coupled with generally improving economic conditions, points to a neighborhood that is gradually becoming more inclusive while retaining its middle-class suburban identity. The coming years will likely determine whether this trend towards increased diversity continues or stabilizes at its current level.
