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Demographic and Racial Composition Changes in Chautauqua Park, Des Moines
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Chautauqua Park in Des Moines, Iowa, is a neighborhood with Moderate Diversity, characterized by representation from multiple racial groups. As of 2022, the community has a Black plurality (50%) with Hispanic (22%) and White (26%) populations. The neighborhood's median income is $43,290 in 2022, a decrease from its peak in 2017. Chautauqua Park is known for its historic charm, with homes dating back to the early 20th century.
Over the past decade, Chautauqua Park has undergone significant demographic transitions. In 2013, the neighborhood was categorized as a Black Majority community, with 51% of the population identifying as Black. By 2019, it had shifted to a Majority-Minority status, with Hispanic residents comprising 40% of the population. The most recent data from 2022 shows a return to a Black plurality, but with a more balanced distribution among racial groups compared to a decade ago.
The neighborhood's economic trajectory correlates with its demographic shifts. The median income peaked in 2017 at $65,995, coinciding with a period of relative stability in the racial composition. As the community transitioned towards greater diversity, there was a decline in median income, dropping to $43,290 by 2022. The population has remained relatively stable over the decade, fluctuating between 400-550 residents.
The demographic evolution of Chautauqua Park mirrors trends seen in many urban areas across the Midwest, where traditionally Black neighborhoods are experiencing increased Hispanic population growth. This shift is accompanied by economic challenges, as seen in the declining median income. The neighborhood's resilience is evident in its maintenance of a diverse population mix, avoiding the low diversity categorization that can sometimes result from rapid demographic changes.
Compared to national trends, Chautauqua Park's experience of increasing diversity followed by a partial reversal is somewhat unique. Many urban areas have seen continuous increases in diversity over the past decade, whereas Chautauqua Park's recent shift back towards a Black plurality suggests local factors at play that may be distinct from broader national patterns.
Chautauqua Park exemplifies a neighborhood in transition, balancing the challenges of maintaining economic stability with the opportunities presented by a diverse and changing population. The community's ability to sustain moderate diversity despite economic fluctuations speaks to its resilience and the complex interplay between demographic and economic factors in urban neighborhoods.
