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Demographic Analysis of Ottumwa, Iowa: A Study of Racial Composition from 2013 to 2022
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Ottumwa, Iowa, as of 2022, is classified as a community with low diversity. The city's population is predominantly white, comprising 74% of the total. This represents a change from the demographic composition a decade earlier. The median income in Ottumwa was $46,003 in 2022, which is below the national median income.
Over the past decade, Ottumwa has been gradually transitioning towards increased diversity. In 2013, the white population made up 85% of the total, firmly placing it in the low diversity category. By 2022, this percentage had decreased to 74%, indicating a slow but consistent shift towards greater diversity.
The Hispanic population has shown the most significant growth, increasing from 10% in 2013 to 15% in 2022. The Black population grew from 1% to 4%, and the Asian population from 1% to 2% during this period. The category "Two or More Races" also increased from 1% to 3%. These changes suggest that Ottumwa is evolving into a transitional community, with increasing representation from various racial groups.
The demographic shifts in Ottumwa have occurred alongside fluctuations in median income. From 2013 to 2022, the median income increased from $41,869 to $46,003, representing a growth of about 9.9% over nine years. The period of most rapid diversification (2015-2019) coincided with a steady increase in median income, from $39,859 in 2015 to $46,275 in 2019. This suggests a possible correlation between increasing diversity and economic growth in the city.
The population has remained relatively stable over the decade, with a slight increase from 25,844 in 2013 to 26,717 in 2022, indicating that the demographic changes are more likely due to shifting compositions within the existing population rather than significant influxes of new residents.
Ottumwa's demographic shifts align with broader national trends of increasing diversity in small to medium-sized cities. However, the pace of change in Ottumwa appears to be slower than in many other parts of the country, particularly in terms of Asian and Black population growth.
Based on the observed trends, it is likely that Ottumwa will continue its transition towards greater diversity over the next decade. If current trends persist, the city could potentially move from low diversity to moderate diversity within the next 5-10 years. The Hispanic population is likely to continue growing, potentially reaching or exceeding 20% of the total population. The combined non-white population could approach or surpass 30%, further solidifying Ottumwa's status as a transitional community.
Economically, if the correlation between increasing diversity and rising median incomes continues, Ottumwa might see further modest economic growth. However, this will likely depend on broader economic factors and the city's ability to attract and retain diverse talent and businesses.
In conclusion, Ottumwa is on a slow but steady path towards greater racial and ethnic diversity, which may bring both opportunities and challenges for community cohesion and economic development in the coming years.
