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Demographic and Racial Composition Analysis of Dawson Neighborhood, Tulsa
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Dawson neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is classified as a Moderate Diversity community with a White Plurality. As of 2022, the white population comprises 49% of the neighborhood, with Hispanic residents at 26%. The area faces economic challenges, with a median income of $30,789 in 2022, below the national average. Dawson has historical significance from Tulsa's oil boom era, with early 20th-century structures still present.
Over the past decade, Dawson has experienced demographic changes. In 2013, it had a White Plurality with 46% white residents. It briefly shifted to a White Majority (53%) in 2020 before reverting. The Hispanic population has grown from 25% in 2013 to 26% in 2022, while the Black population has fluctuated between 11-14%. The neighborhood has maintained Moderate Diversity status throughout most of the period.
The median income in Dawson has shown a downward trend. From $36,844 in 2019, it declined to $30,833 in 2020 and $29,983 in 2021, before slightly increasing to $30,789 in 2022. This economic downturn coincides with demographic shifts, particularly the decrease in the white population percentage and the increase in Hispanic residents.
The population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 2,252 and 2,499 residents over the decade. The slight population increase from 2,252 in 2019 to 2,358 in 2022, despite the income decline, might indicate an influx of lower-income residents or economic pressures on existing residents.
The demographic shifts in Dawson reflect broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban neighborhoods. The economic decline is more pronounced than national averages, particularly given the sharp drop coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The growth of the Hispanic population in Dawson aligns with national trends, as the Hispanic population has been one of the fastest-growing demographic groups in the United States.
The brief shift to a White Majority in 2020, followed by a quick return to White Plurality, could indicate a temporary displacement or movement of residents during the pandemic, a phenomenon observed in many urban areas across the country. Dawson exemplifies a neighborhood in transition, balancing increased racial diversity with economic challenges. The community's evolving demographic makeup, coupled with its declining median income, presents both opportunities and challenges for local policymakers and community leaders in ensuring equitable development and maintaining the neighborhood's historical character while addressing the changing needs of its diverse population.
