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Demographic Analysis of Westside Connection: A Predominantly White Neighborhood in Grand Rapids
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Westside Connection neighborhood in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is characterized by low diversity, with a predominantly White population comprising 89% of residents in 2022. The median income of $68,779 in 2022 indicates a middle-class suburban area. The neighborhood is known for its historic architecture and proximity to the Grand River.
Over the past decade, Westside Connection has maintained its status as a low diversity community, with the White population remaining above 75%. However, there are subtle signs of increasing diversity. The White population percentage has gradually decreased from 93% in 2018 to 89% in 2022. There has been a slight increase in Asian representation, from 0% in 2013 to 2% in 2022. The Hispanic population has remained relatively stable at around 2-3%. The Black population has shown a small increase from 1% to 2% between 2021 and 2022.
The median income in Westside Connection has shown significant growth over the past decade. From $57,915 in 2013 to $68,779 in 2022, representing an increase of about 18.8%. There was a notable increase in median income between 2017 ($59,126) and 2019 ($68,724), suggesting a period of rapid economic growth. The income levels have remained relatively stable since 2019, with minor fluctuations.
The economic growth correlates with the subtle demographic shifts, possibly indicating that the area is attracting a more diverse, affluent population. The increasing median income might be making the neighborhood more attractive to a wider range of residents, contributing to the gradual increase in diversity.
Westside Connection remains significantly less diverse than many urban areas in the United States. The national trend has been moving towards increased diversity in many cities and suburbs. However, this neighborhood's changes are occurring at a much slower pace, which is not uncommon for established, historically homogeneous suburban areas.
The economic growth in Westside Connection aligns with broader trends of economic recovery and growth following the 2008 financial crisis. The significant income increase between 2017 and 2019 may reflect the strong economic conditions experienced nationally during that period.
Westside Connection remains a low diversity community with a strong White majority, but there are early indications of a gradual shift towards greater diversity. This shift, coupled with steady economic growth, suggests that the neighborhood may be in the early stages of demographic transition. However, these changes are occurring slowly compared to national trends, indicating that Westside Connection maintains much of its traditional character while slowly adapting to broader societal changes.
