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Demographic and Racial Evolution in Cascade Neighborhood, Renton: A Study of Diversity and Economic Trends
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Cascade neighborhood in Renton, Washington, exhibits Moderate Diversity with a White Plurality as of 2022. The white population comprises 49% of the community, followed by Asian (17%) and Hispanic (14%) populations. Over the past decade, the neighborhood has experienced significant demographic shifts and economic changes. Cascade's proximity to the Boeing Renton Factory has historically influenced its economic and demographic composition.
From 2013 to 2022, Cascade underwent notable demographic transitions. In 2013, the neighborhood had a White Plurality with 48% white population. Between 2015 and 2019, it approached Majority-Minority status, with the white population decreasing to 41-42%. This shift was primarily due to increases in Asian and Hispanic populations. However, from 2020 onwards, this trend reversed, with the white population briefly reaching 51% in 2020-2021, creating a White Majority before returning to a White Plurality at 49% in 2022.
The Asian population remained relatively stable between 15-19% throughout the decade. The Hispanic population showed more variation, rising from 17% in 2013 to a peak of 22% in 2017 and 2019, before declining to 14% in 2022. The Black population fluctuated between 8-14% during this period. These shifts indicate that Cascade has been a Transitional Community, moving between White Plurality and near Majority-Minority status while maintaining Moderate Diversity.
Economically, Cascade experienced an upward trend in median income. It rose from $61,357 in 2013 to $74,825 in 2022, peaking at $81,593 in 2021. This represents a 22% increase over the decade. Periods of highest income growth coincided with shifts in racial demographics. The sharp increase in median income from 2019 to 2021 (from $70,827 to $81,593) aligned with the period when the white population percentage increased from 42% to 51%. This suggests a potential correlation between demographic shifts and economic changes, possibly reflecting changes in the local job market or housing affordability.
The population remained relatively stable, fluctuating between approximately 12,300 and 13,100 residents throughout the decade. This stability in population size, combined with significant demographic shifts, suggests that changes are likely due to migration patterns rather than natural population growth.
The demographic shifts in Cascade reflect broader trends seen in many suburban areas across the United States, where increasing diversity has been common. However, the reversal of this trend in recent years, with an increase in the white population percentage, is somewhat unique and may be influenced by local factors such as changes in the aerospace industry or regional tech sector growth.
The steady increase in median income aligns with national trends of economic recovery and growth following the 2008 recession. The significant jump in income from 2019 to 2021, despite the global COVID-19 pandemic, is noteworthy and may reflect the resilience of the local economy, possibly due to the presence of major employers like Boeing.
In conclusion, the Cascade neighborhood has undergone significant demographic and economic changes over the past decade, maintaining its status as a Moderately Diverse community while experiencing notable shifts in its racial composition and substantial income growth. These changes likely reflect broader regional economic trends and industry-specific factors, making Cascade a case study in suburban demographic evolution.
