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Demographic Analysis of Ward Meade: Transition to Moderate Diversity with White Majority
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Ward Meade, a neighborhood in Topeka, Kansas, exhibits characteristics of Moderate Diversity with a White Majority as of 2022. The white population constitutes 58% of the neighborhood, with Hispanic and multiracial groups each representing 19%. The median income in 2022 is $38,762. Ward Meade is home to the historic Ward-Meade Park, which includes a preserved 19th-century mansion.
Over the past decade, Ward Meade has transitioned from Low Diversity to Moderate Diversity. In 2013, the neighborhood had Low Diversity with a White Majority (68%). By 2022, while maintaining a White Majority, the community has become more diverse. Notable shifts include a decrease in the white population from 68% to 58%, an increase in the Hispanic population from 12% to 19%, and a rise in the multiracial population from 4% to 19%.
The demographic shifts in Ward Meade correlate with changes in median income. From 2013 to 2022, median income increased from $30,653 to $38,762, a 26.5% rise. This increase coincides with the growing diversity in the neighborhood. However, the population has decreased from 2,042 in 2013 to 1,894 in 2022.
The trends observed in Ward Meade align with broader national patterns of increasing diversity in urban neighborhoods. Many U.S. cities have seen growth in Hispanic and multiracial populations over the past decade. The increase in the multiracial population from 4% to 19% is particularly noteworthy and exceeds national averages.
The economic improvement in Ward Meade, while positive, still places the neighborhood below the national median household income of $70,784 in 2021. This suggests that while Ward Meade is experiencing positive economic trends, it still faces challenges in catching up to national economic standards.
Ward Meade represents a microcosm of demographic and economic shifts occurring in many urban American neighborhoods. Its transition towards greater diversity, coupled with modest economic gains, reflects both the opportunities and challenges of evolving urban communities in the United States.
