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Demographic Analysis of the Grasslands Neighborhood: A Study of Race and Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Grasslands neighborhood in Columbia, Missouri, exhibits characteristics of a Low Diversity community, with a white population comprising 83% of residents as of 2022. This predominantly white neighborhood has experienced fluctuations in its demographic makeup and economic status over the past decade. The Grasslands is known for its proximity to the University of Missouri, which likely influences its population dynamics and economic patterns.
From 2013 to 2022, the Grasslands neighborhood has consistently maintained a Racial Majority, specifically a White Majority. From 2013-2015, the neighborhood showed slightly more diversity, with the white population at 76-77%. This period could be categorized as bordering between Low Diversity and Moderate Diversity. From 2016-2022, a shift occurred, pushing the neighborhood firmly into the Low Diversity category. The white population increased to 83-88%, with other racial groups seeing a decrease in representation.
The median income in the Grasslands has shown significant volatility over the years. From 2013-2017, there was a steady decline in median income from $46,706 to $29,426. From 2018-2021, a dramatic fluctuation occurred, with income dropping to $21,521 in 2019 before surging to $55,995 in 2021. In 2022, there was a notable decrease to $36,999, despite maintaining the low diversity status.
Population trends show a U-shaped curve, decreasing from 2,749 in 2010 to a low of 2,021 in 2015, then steadily increasing to 3,095 in 2022. This recent population growth, coupled with the maintenance of a White Majority, suggests that the new residents are predominantly white, possibly students or faculty associated with the nearby university.
The Grasslands neighborhood's trends diverge from the national movement towards increased diversity in many urban areas. The proximity to a major university typically correlates with higher diversity, making the Grasslands' trend towards lower diversity somewhat unusual. The economic volatility observed in the Grasslands is more extreme than typical national trends, which could be attributed to the transient nature of a university-adjacent population.
The Grasslands neighborhood has evolved from a borderline Moderate Diversity community to a more pronounced Low Diversity area over the past decade. This shift, coupled with significant economic fluctuations, indicates a dynamic neighborhood likely influenced by its proximity to the University of Missouri. The trends observed here may provide insights for local policymakers and university administrators in addressing issues of diversity, affordability, and community development.
