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Demographic Analysis of Westnedge Hill: Race and Economic Trends from 2013 to 2022
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Westnedge Hill, a neighborhood in Kalamazoo, Michigan, exhibited a "Low Diversity" demographic profile in 2022, with a white majority comprising 81% of the population. The neighborhood experienced economic growth over the past decade, with median income increasing from $68,508 in 2013 to $77,563 in 2022. Westnedge Hill is characterized by historic homes and tree-lined streets.
From 2013 to 2022, Westnedge Hill maintained its status as a "Low Diversity" community. The white population decreased from 86% to 81%, while the black population increased from 6% to 11%. Hispanic and Asian populations remained relatively stable between 2-4% and 1-3% respectively. The multiracial population increased from 1% to 3%. These changes suggest a gradual transition towards increased diversity.
The demographic shifts coincided with economic growth. Median income increased by 13.2% over the decade. The neighborhood's population grew from 3,581 in 2013 to 3,815 in 2022, a 6.5% increase. The rising median income suggests increasing affluence, potentially attracting a more diverse, though still predominantly white, population of professionals and families.
Westnedge Hill's gradual diversification aligns with broader national trends of increasing racial and ethnic diversity in suburban and historically white-majority neighborhoods. The economic growth in Westnedge Hill outpaced the national average, as U.S. median household income grew by about 10% between 2013 and 2022 (adjusted for inflation), compared to Westnedge Hill's 13.2% growth.
The neighborhood's changes reflect a pattern of gentle integration and economic development seen in many desirable suburban areas across the country. However, the pace of diversification in Westnedge Hill appears to be slower than national averages, suggesting that while change is occurring, it is happening gradually and has not yet significantly altered the neighborhood's overall demographic character.
