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Demographic and Economic Trends in Northwest Side: A White Majority Neighborhood with Increasing Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
DATA SOURCE
United States Census Bureau: American Community Survey Data (ACS)
The Northwest Side of Owensboro, Kentucky, is characterized as a White Majority community with a median income of $33,145 as of 2022. This neighborhood has shown Low Diversity throughout the past decade, with the white population consistently comprising over 60% of residents. The Northwest Side has experienced significant economic growth in recent years, which may be influencing its demographic composition.
From 2013 to 2022, the Northwest Side has maintained its status as a White Majority community. The white population percentage increased from 64% in 2013 to 70% in 2022. The black population showed a slight decrease from 23% in 2013 to 17% in 2022. The Asian population remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 1% and 4% over the decade. The Hispanic population showed a minor decrease from 7% in 2013 to 4% in 2019, before returning to 7% in 2022. These shifts suggest a slight trend towards increased homogeneity rather than diversification, maintaining the neighborhood's Low Diversity classification throughout the period.
The Northwest Side has experienced significant economic growth over the past decade. Median income increased from $24,136 in 2013 to $33,145 in 2022, a 37% increase. There was a notable jump in median income from $26,184 in 2019 to $32,026 in 2020. This economic growth correlates with the slight increase in the white population percentage, suggesting that improved economic conditions may be attracting or retaining more white residents.
Population trends have been relatively stable, with minor fluctuations. Population increased from 3,279 in 2013 to 3,541 in 2022, an 8% growth. There was a slight dip in population to 3,362 in 2021, followed by a rebound in 2022. The stable population coupled with rising incomes suggests that the neighborhood is becoming more affluent without significant demographic turnover.
The economic growth in the Northwest Side appears to be outpacing national averages, as the median household income in the U.S. grew by about 13% from 2013 to 2022, compared to the neighborhood's 37% growth. The neighborhood's racial composition trend contrasts with many urban areas across the U.S., which have generally been moving towards greater diversity. The stability of the white majority in this neighborhood may be atypical compared to national trends of increasing diversity in many cities.
The Northwest Side of Owensboro has maintained its status as a White Majority, Low Diversity community over the past decade, while experiencing significant economic growth. This combination of demographic stability and economic improvement suggests a neighborhood that is becoming more affluent without major changes in its racial composition, potentially indicating a trend of economic gentrification within the existing community rather than demographic diversification.
