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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Old West Lawrence, a neighborhood in Lawrence, Kansas, exhibits a demographic profile categorized as "Low Diversity" as of 2022. The population is predominantly white, with 89% of residents identifying as such. The median income in the neighborhood is $76,865, indicating a relatively affluent community. Old West Lawrence is characterized by its historic Victorian-era homes, which may influence its demographic composition.
Over the past decade, Old West Lawrence has experienced significant demographic changes. In 2013, the neighborhood was classified as "Low Diversity" with a 92% white majority. From 2015 to 2020, the community transitioned towards becoming a "Transitional Community," showing increased diversity. The white population decreased to 67% by 2020, while Hispanic representation grew from 3% to 16%, and Black representation increased from 0% to 13%. Asian representation fluctuated during this period, reaching a peak of 8% in 2017.
By 2022, the neighborhood reverted to its "Low Diversity" status with an 89% white majority, indicating a rapid demographic shift back to its earlier composition. These demographic changes correlate with fluctuations in median income. As diversity increased from 2013 to 2019, median income rose from $56,013 to $89,607. The peak of diversity in 2020 coincided with a decrease in median income to $77,670. As the neighborhood returned to low diversity in 2022, the median income stabilized around $76,865.
Population figures demonstrate fluctuations, with a notable increase from 1,041 in 2014 to 1,704 in 2019, coinciding with the period of increasing diversity. The recent decrease to 1,139 in 2022 aligns with the return to lower diversity.
The demographic shifts observed in Old West Lawrence between 2015 and 2020 align with national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas. However, the rapid reversal to low diversity by 2022 is unusual and may be specific to local factors in Lawrence or this particular neighborhood. The median income in Old West Lawrence ($76,865 in 2022) is higher than the national median household income (about $70,784 in 2021), indicating that the neighborhood remains relatively affluent despite demographic fluctuations.
The trajectory of Old West Lawrence provides a case study of a neighborhood that experienced a brief period of significant diversification before returning to its historical demographic composition. This pattern raises questions about the sustainability of diversity in historically homogeneous neighborhoods and the relationship between demographics, economics, and local community dynamics.