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Demographic and Economic Trends in Mather and Wells: A Black Majority Neighborhood in Springfield, Illinois
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Mather and Wells neighborhood in Springfield, Illinois, is classified as a Black Majority community with a median income of $28,476 as of 2022. This classification is based on the racial composition where Black residents make up 59% of the population. The neighborhood has undergone significant demographic and economic changes over the past decade, reflecting broader urban trends of racial composition shifts and income fluctuations.
From 2013 to 2022, Mather and Wells has maintained its status as a Black Majority community. The Black population percentage reached its highest point at 71% in 2015 and 2018. By 2020-2021, there was a shift towards greater diversity, with the Black population decreasing to 55%, while the White population increased to 35-36%. The most recent data from 2022 shows a slight reversal of this trend, with the Black population increasing to 59% and the White population decreasing to 27%. There has been a gradual increase in the multiracial population, from 7% in 2017 to 13% in 2022, indicating a trend towards a more diverse community composition.
The median income in Mather and Wells has shown an overall upward trend, with fluctuations. From 2013 to 2022, the median income increased from $21,806 to $28,476, representing a 30.6% increase over the decade. There were notable dips in income, such as in 2015 ($22,695) and 2021 ($25,353), which coincided with periods of higher Black population percentages. The highest median income was recorded in 2022 at $28,476, corresponding with a slight decrease in the Black majority and an increase in multiracial representation.
Population trends show a steady decline from 1,652 residents in 2010 to 1,163 in 2022, a decrease of about 29.6%. This population decline, coupled with income increases, might indicate gentrification processes or changing neighborhood dynamics.
The trends observed in Mather and Wells align with broader urban patterns seen in many American cities. The gradual increase in diversity, particularly the growth of multiracial populations, reflects national trends of increasing racial and ethnic diversity in urban areas. The correlation between increased diversity and rising median incomes is consistent with patterns observed in gentrifying neighborhoods across the U.S. The population decline, despite rising incomes, might indicate a shift in housing density or changing family structures, which is common in urban areas undergoing socioeconomic transitions.
In conclusion, Mather and Wells remains a Black Majority community, but has shown signs of increasing diversity over the past decade. This demographic shift has coincided with overall economic improvement, as evidenced by rising median incomes. However, the declining population suggests complex urban dynamics at play, possibly including gentrification or changing residential patterns. These trends warrant continued observation to understand their long-term implications for community cohesion, economic opportunity, and neighborhood character.
