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Demographic Analysis of Prospects/Shields Neighborhood: A White Majority Community with Emerging Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Prospects/Shields neighborhood in Fort Collins, Colorado, is characterized as a White Majority community with Low Diversity. As of 2022, the white population constitutes 78% of the neighborhood. The median income of $34,742 in 2022 indicates a lower-middle-class area, potentially influenced by its proximity to Colorado State University and a large student population.
Over the past decade, the Prospects/Shields neighborhood has maintained its status as a White Majority community. However, subtle shifts towards increased diversity have been observed. The white population has decreased slightly from 80% in 2013 to 78% in 2022. The Hispanic population has remained relatively stable between 7-11% over the years. The Asian population increased modestly from 4% in 2013 to 6% in 2019, returning to 4% by 2022. The Black population doubled from 1% in 2013 to 2% in recent years. The "Two or More Races" category has remained stable around 5-6%.
The neighborhood has experienced notable economic growth over the past decade. Median income increased from $27,882 in 2013 to $34,742 in 2022, representing a 24.6% growth over nine years. This income growth has outpaced inflation, suggesting real economic improvement for residents. The population has grown from 4,836 in 2013 to 5,823 in 2022, a 20.4% increase, indicating the neighborhood's increasing attractiveness.
The economic improvement correlates with the slight increase in diversity, suggesting that the area may be attracting a more diverse, upwardly mobile population. However, the persistence of the White Majority indicates that this diversification is happening gradually and has not yet fundamentally altered the neighborhood's demographic character.
The trends in Prospects/Shields align with broader national patterns of slow but steady diversification in many urban and suburban areas. The neighborhood's proximity to a university likely influences its demographic and economic patterns, as college towns often experience more rapid demographic shifts and economic fluctuations tied to student populations.
The median income, while growing, remains below the national median household income (which was around $70,000 in 2021), suggesting that despite improvements, Prospects/Shields remains a relatively affordable area, possibly attractive to students, young professionals, and working-class families.
Prospects/Shields remains a White Majority, Low Diversity community, but shows signs of gradual diversification and economic improvement. These trends, if continued, could lead to more significant demographic shifts and potentially transition the neighborhood towards Moderate Diversity in the coming years, especially if it continues to attract a diverse range of new residents drawn by improving economic conditions and the area's amenities.
