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Demographic and Racial Composition Analysis of Monon Neighborhood, Lafayette, Indiana
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Monon neighborhood in Lafayette, Indiana, is characterized as a predominantly White Majority community with Moderate Diversity. As of 2022, the white population comprises 78% of the total, while Hispanic residents form the largest minority group at 10%. The neighborhood's median income has fluctuated over the past decade, reaching $42,328 in 2022. Monon's name originates from the Monon Railroad that previously connected Lafayette to Chicago and Indianapolis.
Over the past decade, Monon has maintained its status as a White Majority community, with subtle shifts towards increased diversity. In 2013, the neighborhood exhibited Low Diversity with a 77% white population and 15% black population. From 2014 to 2016, it remained in the White Majority category but showed signs of Moderate Diversity, with the black population consistently around 13-16%. A significant shift occurred in 2017, where the white population increased to 90%, reverting to Low Diversity.
From 2018 onwards, a gradual trend towards Moderate Diversity has been observed, with the Hispanic population growing from 3% in 2017 to 10% in 2022, while the white population decreased from 90% to 78%. These changes indicate that Monon is slowly transitioning towards a more diverse community, particularly with the growth of the Hispanic population.
The median income in Monon has shown considerable volatility. From 2013 to 2016, income remained relatively stable, ranging from $35,000 to $38,000. A significant increase occurred in 2017, with median income rising to $46,532, coinciding with the spike in the white population percentage. The highest median income was recorded in 2018 at $50,337, followed by a decline in subsequent years. The most recent data for 2022 shows a median income of $42,328, which is lower than the peak but still higher than the early 2010s. These economic shifts appear to correlate with demographic changes.
The trend of increasing Hispanic population in Monon aligns with broader national trends of growing Hispanic communities in many parts of the United States. The fluctuations in median income, particularly the rise and fall between 2017 and 2022, may reflect broader economic trends such as the recovery from the 2008 financial crisis and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The persistence of a White Majority in Monon, despite increasing diversity, suggests that this neighborhood may be changing more slowly than some urban areas that have experienced rapid demographic shifts in recent years.
Monon remains a White Majority community but shows signs of evolving into a more diverse neighborhood, particularly with the growth of its Hispanic population. These demographic changes appear to be intertwined with economic fluctuations, suggesting a complex relationship between racial composition and economic prosperity in the area. As Monon continues to evolve, it will be important to observe how these demographic and economic trends develop and impact the community's character and local life.
