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Demographic and Racial Shifts in Wildwood Park, Fort Wayne: From Low Diversity to White Majority with Growing Black Population
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Wildwood Park in Fort Wayne, Indiana, has undergone significant demographic changes from 2013 to 2022. The neighborhood transitioned from a low-diversity area to a white-majority community with an increasing Black population. In 2013, whites comprised 90% of the population, categorizing the area as "Low Diversity." By 2022, the neighborhood maintained a "White Majority" status, but the Black population increased from 10% in 2018 to 20% in 2022.
The median income in Wildwood Park has experienced considerable fluctuations over the past decade. From 2013 to 2016, median income decreased from $42,590 to $33,802. A sharp increase occurred from 2017 to 2018, with median income rising from $37,568 to $61,533. However, from 2019 to 2022, median income declined again, reaching $32,986 by 2022.
The neighborhood's population has grown significantly, from 347 in 2010 to 950 in 2022, representing a 173.8% increase. This growth accelerated particularly from 2019 to 2020, with the population nearly doubling from 489 to 863.
The demographic shifts in Wildwood Park reflect broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban and urban neighborhoods. The rapid population growth and significant income fluctuations suggest unique local factors at play, possibly related to urban renewal efforts or changes in local housing policies.
The decline in median income since 2018, despite population growth, could indicate an influx of lower-income residents or economic challenges facing the existing population. This trend may be part of a larger pattern of suburban poverty growth seen in many U.S. cities.
Wildwood Park has transformed from a homogeneous, low-diversity neighborhood to a more diverse community with a white majority and growing Black population. These demographic changes have been accompanied by significant economic fluctuations and rapid population growth, presenting both opportunities and challenges for community cohesion and economic development in the coming years.
