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Demographic and Racial Trends in Prairie Park, Lawrence, Kansas
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Prairie Park, a neighborhood in Lawrence, Kansas, has transitioned from a Low Diversity to a Moderate Diversity community between 2013 and 2022. The white population decreased from 77% to 66% during this period. The Hispanic population increased from 6% to 10%, while the Asian population grew from 5% to 7%. The Black population remained stable at 6-7%, and residents identifying as two or more races increased from 4% to 6%.
Concurrent with these demographic shifts, Prairie Park experienced significant economic growth. The median income rose from $57,522 in 2013 to $68,181 in 2022, representing an 18.5% increase. This economic improvement suggests that the increasing diversity has been accompanied by enhanced economic opportunities for residents.
The population of Prairie Park has remained relatively stable over this period, with only minor fluctuations. This stability, combined with rising incomes and increasing diversity, may indicate that the neighborhood is becoming more attractive to a wider range of middle-income families from diverse backgrounds.
The trends observed in Prairie Park align with broader national patterns of increasing diversity in suburban areas. Many U.S. cities have experienced similar transitions from predominantly white communities to more diverse neighborhoods over the past decade. However, Prairie Park's economic growth outpaces the national average, which saw median household income increase by about 10% between 2013 and 2022.
The neighborhood's ability to maintain population stability while increasing diversity and median income is notable. This suggests that Prairie Park has successfully navigated demographic changes while improving economic conditions for its residents, potentially making it a model for other communities seeking to balance diversity and prosperity.
Prairie Park's evolution from a Low Diversity to a Moderate Diversity community, coupled with significant economic growth, reflects broader national trends towards increased suburban diversity. The neighborhood's ability to maintain population stability while increasing both diversity and median income positions it as a case study in community transition and development.
