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Demographic and Economic Trends in West Highland: A Study of a White Majority Neighborhood in Denver
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
West Highland, a neighborhood in Denver, Colorado, exhibits characteristics of a White Majority community with a median income of $94,400 as of 2022. The area has maintained a relatively high median income over the past decade, suggesting it is an affluent neighborhood within Denver. West Highland is known for its historic charm, with many Victorian-era homes and a commercial district along 32nd Avenue.
Over the past decade, West Highland has consistently remained a White Majority community, with the white population typically representing over 70% of residents. From 2013 to 2016, the neighborhood showed signs of being a Transitional Community, with a gradual decrease in the white population and an increase in Hispanic residents. From 2017 to 2022, the community experienced a slight increase in diversity, though still maintaining its White Majority status. The Hispanic population decreased from 16% to 13% between 2017 and 2021, but then increased to 16% in 2022.
There has been a notable increase in residents identifying as two or more races, rising from 1% in 2013 to 5% in 2022, indicating a trend towards increased diversity. The median income in West Highland has fluctuated but generally trended upward over the past decade. From 2013 to 2015, there was a significant increase in median income from $85,719 to $100,863, coinciding with a slight decrease in the Hispanic population.
After a dip in 2016-2017, the median income rose again, reaching a peak of $104,108 in 2021 before slightly decreasing to $94,400 in 2022. The population has grown steadily from 11,031 in 2010 to 13,543 in 2022, suggesting the neighborhood's increasing desirability. The rising median income and population growth, coupled with the maintained White Majority status, suggest a pattern of gentrification that may be gradually altering the neighborhood's demographic composition.
The trends observed in West Highland align with broader patterns seen in many urban neighborhoods across the United States. The increasing median income and slight demographic shifts are consistent with gentrification trends seen in many urban areas, where historically diverse neighborhoods become increasingly affluent and less diverse. The rise in residents identifying as two or more races reflects a national trend, as the U.S. Census reported a 276% increase in the multiracial population between 2010 and 2020.
While West Highland's median income has risen, this trend may not benefit all residents equally, potentially leading to increased income inequality within the neighborhood. West Highland represents a relatively affluent, predominantly white neighborhood that has experienced subtle demographic shifts and economic growth over the past decade. While it maintains its White Majority status, there are indications of a gradual increase in diversity, particularly in the multi-racial population. These changes, coupled with rising median incomes, suggest ongoing gentrification processes that may continue to shape the neighborhood's character in the coming years.
