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Demographic Analysis of Sunflower Neighborhood: White Majority and Racial Composition Trends
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Sunflower neighborhood in Wichita, Kansas, maintains a White Majority demographic composition, with 65% of the population identifying as white in 2022. This classification has persisted throughout the analyzed period, albeit with fluctuations. The area's median income increased from $34,361 in 2013 to $40,715 in 2022, indicating gradual economic improvement. Sunflower's proximity to Wichita State University likely influences its demographic and economic characteristics.
While retaining its White Majority status, Sunflower has experienced subtle shifts in racial composition over the past decade. The white population percentage decreased from 64% in 2013 to 59% in 2016-2017, before increasing to 65% in 2022. The Hispanic population, the second-largest demographic group, increased from 25% in 2013 to 26% in 2017, then decreased to 20% by 2022. The Asian population grew from 1% to 6% over the decade, indicating a shift towards Moderate Diversity, although not reaching that classification.
The neighborhood briefly approached Transitional Community status between 2015-2017 when the white population fell below 60% and other groups, particularly those identifying as two or more races, increased. However, this trend did not persist long-term. The median income in Sunflower has shown an overall upward trend, increasing by about 18.5% from 2013 to 2022. This growth was not linear, with some years showing declines followed by recoveries. The most significant growth occurred between 2019 and 2021, with median income rising from $38,520 to $42,350, a 9.9% increase in two years.
The period of highest income growth (2019-2021) coincided with a slight increase in the white population percentage and a decrease in the Hispanic population percentage. This suggests a possible correlation between demographic shifts and economic changes, potentially related to changes in the local job market or housing affordability.
The demographic trends in Sunflower somewhat mirror national trends of increasing diversity, albeit at a slower pace. The growth in the Asian population is notable, outpacing national averages. The economic improvements, while positive, appear modest compared to national income growth rates over the same period.
The neighborhood's proximity to Wichita State University likely contributes to its relatively stable demographic composition and gradual economic improvement. University areas often attract a diverse population of students and faculty, which could explain the gradual increase in diversity, particularly in the Asian population.
Sunflower has maintained its White Majority status while experiencing subtle shifts towards greater diversity, particularly with growth in its Asian population. The economic trajectory has been generally positive, with significant gains in recent years. These trends suggest a slowly evolving community that is becoming more diverse and economically stable, albeit at a measured pace.
