Loading Content...
Demographic and Racial Shifts in The Timbers Neighborhood of Tulsa, Oklahoma
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Timbers neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, currently exhibits a Moderate Diversity profile with a White Plurality. As of 2022, the white population comprises 58% of the neighborhood, followed by Hispanic (14%) and Black (13%) populations. The median income of $48,450 in 2022 suggests a working to middle-class community. The Timbers has seen an increase in its Asian population over the past decade, indicating changing dynamics in this Tulsa suburb.
The Timbers has undergone a demographic transformation over the past decade. In 2013, it was categorized as a White Majority community with 62% of the population identifying as white. By 2018, it had transitioned to a Majority-Minority status, with the white population dropping to 42%. This shift was driven by increases in Hispanic, Asian, and Black populations. From 2018 to 2020, the neighborhood maintained its Majority-Minority status with High Diversity, as no single group exceeded 50%, and at least three groups had significant representation. By 2022, the neighborhood reverted to a White Plurality (58%), suggesting a potential reversal of the diversification trend.
The median income in The Timbers has shown an upward trend, rising from $44,411 in 2013 to $48,450 in 2022, an increase of about 9% over the decade. This growth outpaced inflation for much of this period, suggesting a slight improvement in economic conditions. The most significant income growth occurred between 2019 and 2021, coinciding with a period of increased diversity in the neighborhood. The median income increased from $43,494 in 2019 to $48,927 in 2021, a 12.5% increase in two years. This could indicate that the influx of diverse populations brought economic opportunities or that higher-income diverse residents moved into the area.
The slight dip in median income from 2021 to 2022 (from $48,927 to $48,450) coincides with the reversal towards a White Plurality. This might suggest that some higher-income diverse residents may have left the area, or it could be a result of broader economic factors affecting the community.
The demographic shifts observed in The Timbers reflect broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban areas. Many U.S. suburbs have experienced similar transitions from predominantly white communities to more diverse neighborhoods over the past two decades. However, the recent reversal towards a White Plurality in 2022 is atypical and warrants further investigation.
The modest income growth in The Timbers is consistent with national trends of slow but steady wage growth in the post-2008 recession era. However, the significant jump in median income between 2019 and 2021 outpaced national averages, suggesting localized factors at play, possibly related to the changing demographic composition or specific economic developments in the Tulsa area.
The Timbers neighborhood has undergone a complex demographic evolution over the past decade, transitioning from a White Majority community to a highly diverse Majority-Minority area, before reverting to a White Plurality with Moderate Diversity. These changes have been accompanied by overall positive economic trends, particularly during periods of increased diversity. The recent shift back towards a White Plurality raises questions about the long-term trajectory of the neighborhood and the factors driving these demographic changes.
