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Demographic and Racial Shifts in Missouri Botanical Garden Neighborhood: From Moderate Diversity to White Majority
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Missouri Botanical Garden neighborhood in St. Louis, Missouri, has transitioned from a moderately diverse community to a white majority area between 2013 and 2022. As of 2022, the white population comprises 68% of the area, with Black residents at 15% and Hispanic residents at 10%. The neighborhood has experienced significant economic growth, with median income increasing from $50,430 in 2013 to $95,897 in 2022. This area is notable for housing one of the oldest botanical gardens in the United States.
The neighborhood has undergone demographic shifts over the past decade. In 2013, the area had 57% white and 31% black residents. By 2016, it had become a low diversity category with 81% white population. Since then, it has maintained a white majority status while gradually increasing in diversity. The Hispanic population has grown from 2% in 2013 to 10% in 2022, indicating a trend towards a more transitional community. The proportion of residents identifying as two or more races has also increased.
The demographic changes correlate with economic trends. As the neighborhood transitioned to a white majority, median income rose significantly. The most substantial increase occurred between 2017 and 2021, with income nearly doubling from $56,055 to $108,390. This period coincides with the stabilization of the white majority and the gradual increase in Hispanic and multiracial populations. The population has decreased slightly from 1,243 in 2013 to 1,204 in 2022, potentially suggesting a gentrification process.
The demographic and economic trends in the Missouri Botanical Garden neighborhood reflect broader patterns of urban gentrification seen in many U.S. cities. The rapid increase in median income, coupled with demographic shifts, is characteristic of areas experiencing significant urban renewal or revitalization efforts. The growth of the Hispanic population in this neighborhood aligns with national trends of increasing Hispanic representation in urban areas. However, the dramatic increase in median income outpaces national averages, suggesting localized factors at play.
The transition from a more diverse community to a white majority, followed by a gradual return to increased diversity, is a pattern observed in some gentrifying neighborhoods across the country. This often occurs as an area becomes more desirable, attracting higher-income residents, followed by a period of stabilization and renewed diversification as the neighborhood becomes established.
The Missouri Botanical Garden neighborhood has undergone significant demographic and economic changes over the past decade, transitioning from a moderately diverse community to a predominantly white, high-income area, with recent trends suggesting a move towards increased diversity. These changes likely reflect broader urban development patterns and may have significant implications for local community dynamics and future neighborhood planning.
