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Demographic and Racial Analysis of Waveland Woods: A Low Diversity Neighborhood in Des Moines
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Waveland Woods, a neighborhood in Des Moines, Iowa, is classified as a Low Diversity community with a white population of 80% in 2022. The neighborhood has undergone minor demographic changes over the past decade, transitioning from a more homogeneous composition to a slightly more diverse one. The median income in Waveland Woods has fluctuated, with a notable increase in recent years. The neighborhood's proximity to the Des Moines Art Center may contribute to its appeal.
From 2013 to 2022, Waveland Woods has consistently been categorized as Low Diversity, with a predominant white population. The white majority has gradually decreased from 84% in 2013 to 80% in 2022, indicating a slow trend towards increased diversity. The most significant change occurred between 2020 and 2021, when the Asian population increased from 3% to 10%, suggesting a potential shift towards a Transitional Community status.
The median income in Waveland Woods has shown an overall upward trend with fluctuations. In 2013, the median income was $59,610, which increased to $77,378 in 2021 before declining to $62,502 in 2022. This economic volatility coincides with the gradual increase in diversity, particularly the growth in the Asian population. The significant income increase in 2021 correlates with the largest increase in the Asian population, potentially indicating an influx of higher-income Asian residents.
The slow diversification of Waveland Woods aligns with broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban areas. However, the neighborhood's pace of change is relatively slow compared to national averages. The substantial increase in the Asian population between 2020 and 2021 could be part of a larger trend of Asian Americans moving to midwestern cities, attracted by lower costs of living and growing tech sectors.
The economic fluctuations in Waveland Woods, particularly the sharp increase in median income in 2021, may reflect broader economic trends related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many higher-income professionals were able to maintain or increase their earnings during this period, which could explain the neighborhood's economic resilience.
Waveland Woods remains a Low Diversity community but shows signs of gradual change towards becoming a Transitional Community. The economic stability and recent income growth, coupled with its cultural amenities like the nearby Des Moines Art Center, may continue to attract a more diverse population in the coming years. However, the pace of change suggests that any major demographic shifts are likely to occur slowly over an extended period.
