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Demographic Changes in Forest Park, Illinois: Shift from High to Moderate Diversity with Increasing White Plurality
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Forest Park, Illinois, is categorized as a "Moderate Diversity" community based on its 2022 racial composition. The white population constitutes 55%, with significant Black (25%) and Hispanic (9%) populations. The median income of $71,676 in 2022 suggests a relatively stable middle-class economic environment.
Over the past decade, Forest Park has undergone a transition in its racial composition. In 2013, the community was classified as having a "White Plurality" with 47% white population and 33% Black population. By 2022, it had evolved into a "Moderate Diversity" community with a slight white majority (55%) and decreased Black population (25%).
The Hispanic and Asian populations have remained relatively stable, with slight fluctuations. The increase in the "Two or More Races" category from 1% in 2013 to 3% in 2022 indicates a trend towards increasing diversity and mixed-race families.
The median income has shown a generally positive trend, increasing from $62,780 in 2013 to $71,676 in 2022, a growth of about 14% over nine years. This increase suggests improving economic conditions for residents, which may have influenced or been influenced by the changing racial demographics.
The population has remained relatively stable, decreasing slightly from 14,084 in 2013 to 14,059 in 2022. This stability indicates that the demographic changes are likely due to internal shifts or replacement migration rather than significant population growth or decline.
The trends in Forest Park align with broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban areas. The growth in median income is also consistent with national economic recovery and growth patterns following the 2008 recession.
Based on the observed trends, Forest Park is likely to continue its trajectory towards increased diversity. The community may transition into a "High Diversity" category in the coming years if the white population continues to decrease below 50% and other racial groups, particularly the Hispanic and Asian populations, continue to grow.
Economically, if the trend of increasing median income continues, the community may see further gentrification and potentially attract more diverse, higher-income residents. This could lead to a "Transitional Community" status, with ongoing changes in racial makeup and socioeconomic characteristics.
These predictions are based on extrapolation of current trends and could be influenced by various external factors such as regional economic shifts, housing policies, or larger demographic trends in the Chicago metropolitan area.
