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Demographic Analysis of Shimek Neighborhood: Persistent White Majority and Economic Fluctuations
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Shimek neighborhood in Iowa City, Iowa, demonstrates Low Diversity characteristics with a White Majority comprising 82% of the population as of 2022. The neighborhood has experienced fluctuations in population and median income over the past decade. Shimek's proximity to the University of Iowa likely influences its demographic composition and economic trends.
Throughout the analyzed period (2013-2022), Shimek has maintained a White Majority status, with the white population never falling below 76%. The neighborhood experienced a brief shift towards Moderate Diversity from 2015 to 2016, with the white population decreasing from 81% to 76%, before reverting to Low Diversity. The Asian population fluctuated, peaking at 8% in 2016-2017 and declining to 5% by 2022. The Hispanic population showed a gradual increase from 5% in 2013 to 6% in 2022.
The median income in Shimek has shown significant volatility. From 2013 to 2017, median income increased from $60,030 to $94,666. However, from 2017 to 2022, there was a sharp decline to $82,049. The population decreased from a peak of 3,258 in 2015 to 2,326 in 2022.
The demographic trends in Shimek reflect patterns seen in many university-adjacent neighborhoods across the United States. The persistent White Majority is common in Midwestern college towns. Fluctuations in the Asian population likely mirror national trends in international student enrollment. The gradual increase in the Hispanic population aligns with national demographic shifts, although at a slower pace than in many urban areas.
The income volatility, particularly the sharp rise and subsequent decline, may relate to broader economic trends such as the post-2008 recovery and subsequent economic challenges, including those brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shimek has maintained its status as a predominantly white, low-diversity neighborhood, while experiencing subtle demographic shifts and significant economic fluctuations over the past decade. These changes likely reflect both local factors related to the university's influence and broader national trends in demographics and economics.
