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Demographic and Economic Trends in River Forest: A Study of Race and Income
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
River Forest, a neighborhood in Lansing, Michigan, exhibits a White Majority demographic composition with 68% of the population identifying as white in 2022. The neighborhood has maintained a relatively stable racial makeup over the past decade, with some fluctuations. River Forest has experienced significant income growth, with the median income increasing from $64,003 in 2013 to $73,492 in 2022, indicating a trend of increasing affluence. The neighborhood is known for its proximity to the Grand River.
Throughout the past decade, River Forest has consistently maintained its status as a White Majority community. The white population percentage has fluctuated, reaching a low of 64% in 2020 before returning to 68% in 2022. The neighborhood has shown signs of increasing diversity, with the Hispanic population growing from 6% in 2013 to 9% in 2022. The Black population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 11% and 18% over the decade. There has been a notable increase in residents identifying as two or more races, doubling from 4% in 2013 to 8% in 2022.
The neighborhood has experienced significant economic growth over the past decade. Median income has increased by about 15% from 2013 to 2022, rising from $64,003 to $73,492. There was a spike in median income to $82,275 in 2021, followed by a decrease in 2022. The population has shown some volatility, increasing from 7,620 in 2013 to 8,311 in 2022, with fluctuations in between.
These economic trends correlate with the demographic shifts in specific ways. The increase in median income coincides with a slight increase in the Asian population (from 2% to 3%) and the growth in the two or more races category. The stability of the white majority, coupled with income growth, suggests that the neighborhood is maintaining its character while becoming more affluent.
River Forest's demographic shifts align with the broader movement towards increased diversity in American communities. However, the neighborhood's retention of a strong white majority contrasts with more rapid diversification seen in many urban areas across the U.S. The economic growth in River Forest outpaces the national average for income growth over the same period, indicating that this neighborhood is becoming relatively more prosperous.
The stability of the racial makeup, combined with economic growth, suggests that River Forest may be an established, desirable neighborhood that is gradually opening up to more diversity while maintaining its economic appeal. As the community continues to evolve, it will be important to monitor whether it can maintain this balance or if it will transition more definitively towards greater diversity in the coming years.
