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Demographic and Racial Shifts in Sunset Neighborhood, Renton: From White Plurality to Moderate Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Sunset neighborhood in Renton, Washington, exhibits a Moderate Diversity profile as of 2022. The population comprises 28% Hispanic, 20% Asian, and 37% White residents. The median income is $81,176, placing it in a middle to upper-middle-income category. Sunset's proximity to Boeing's 737 aircraft assembly plant has influenced its economic and demographic composition.
From 2013 to 2022, Sunset transitioned from a White Plurality community to one of Moderate Diversity. In 2013, the neighborhood had 47% White, 24% Hispanic, and 15% Asian populations. By 2022, no single group held a majority, with the White population decreasing to 37% and Hispanic and Asian populations increasing to 28% and 20% respectively. This shift categorizes Sunset as a Transitional Community, with consistent growth in Hispanic and multiracial populations. The percentage of residents identifying as two or more races increased from 4% in 2013 to 8% in 2022.
The demographic shifts correlate with economic changes. The median income increased from $64,504 in 2013 to $81,176 in 2022, a 25.8% rise. This economic growth coincides with increasing diversity, suggesting a possible link between the influx of Hispanic and Asian residents and expanding job opportunities or changing housing markets. The population grew moderately from 8,552 in 2013 to 8,818 in 2022, a 3.1% increase. This modest population growth, coupled with significant income increases, may indicate gentrification or the arrival of higher-income diverse professionals, possibly related to the tech industry expansion in the greater Seattle area.
The trends observed in Sunset align with patterns seen in many suburban areas near major tech hubs. The increasing diversity and rising incomes reflect trends in other Seattle suburbs, mirroring the region's tech-driven economic boom and appeal to diverse, skilled professionals.
The growth of the Hispanic population in Sunset from 24% to 28% outpaces the national trend, where the Hispanic population grew from about 17% to 19% over a similar period. This suggests that Sunset may be a particularly attractive area for Hispanic families and professionals within the greater Seattle metropolitan area.
The substantial increase in median income of 25.8% over nine years significantly outpaces national averages, which saw about a 10-15% increase in the same period. This rapid income growth, coupled with increasing diversity, positions Sunset as a dynamic, evolving community that is likely attracting a mix of long-time residents and newcomers drawn by economic opportunities and the area's increasing multiculturalism.
Sunset exemplifies a Transitional Community, evolving from a White Plurality to a Moderate Diversity area with strong economic growth. These changes reflect broader regional trends but occur at an accelerated pace, suggesting that Sunset is at the forefront of demographic and economic shifts in the Seattle metropolitan area.
