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Demographic Analysis of REO Town, Lansing: Shifts in Racial Composition and Economic Growth
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
REO Town, a neighborhood in Lansing, Michigan, exhibits characteristics of a Moderate Diversity community with a White Plurality as of 2022. The white population represents 57% of the neighborhood, with Black (25%) and Hispanic (8%) populations also present. The median income in 2022 was $32,042, indicating a lower-middle-income area. REO Town has historical significance as the birthplace of the REO Motor Car Company, which later became part of General Motors.
Over the past decade, REO Town has undergone demographic changes. In 2013, the neighborhood had a White Majority (50%). By 2015, it transitioned to a clear White Majority (64%), indicating a period of Low Diversity. From 2016 onwards, the community has maintained a Moderate Diversity status with a White Plurality. The Black population fluctuated, dropping from 27% in 2013 to 11% in 2016, then rising to 25% by 2022. The Hispanic population remained relatively stable around 10-12%. The "Two or More Races" category grew substantially, peaking at 19% in 2019 before declining to 4% in 2022.
The demographic changes correlate with economic trends. The median income decreased from $25,129 in 2013 to $19,561 in 2015, coinciding with the highest white population percentage. As diversity increased from 2016 onwards, the median income rose steadily, reaching $34,173 in 2021 before slightly decreasing to $32,042 in 2022. This trend suggests that increased diversity has been accompanied by economic improvement in the neighborhood. The population of REO Town has decreased from 3,868 in 2013 to 3,365 in 2022.
The demographic shifts in REO Town align with broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas. Many U.S. cities have seen growth in multiracial populations and a decline in single-race majorities over the past decade. REO Town's specific pattern of fluctuation, particularly in its Black population, may be unique to local factors in Lansing or Michigan.
The economic improvement in REO Town, while positive, still leaves the neighborhood below national median income levels. This situation is not uncommon in former industrial areas of the Midwest undergoing revitalization efforts. The correlation between increasing diversity and rising incomes in REO Town could be part of a broader pattern of urban renewal and gentrification seen in many U.S. cities, where historically undervalued neighborhoods attract new residents and investment.
REO Town's evolution over the past decade reflects an interplay of demographic and economic factors, transitioning from a less diverse, economically challenged area to a more diverse community with improving, though still modest, economic indicators. This transformation presents opportunities and challenges for community cohesion and equitable development in the coming years.
