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Demographic Evolution in Oldtown: From Low to Moderate Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
DATA SOURCE
United States Census Bureau: American Community Survey Data (ACS)
Oldtown, a neighborhood in Topeka, Kansas, exhibits a Moderate Diversity community as of 2022. The demographic composition consists of a White Majority (57%), with significant Hispanic (22%) and Black (14%) populations. The median income in 2022 was $27,497, indicating a working-class neighborhood that has experienced economic fluctuations over the past decade.
Over the past decade, Oldtown has transitioned from a Low Diversity to a Moderate Diversity community. In 2013, the neighborhood had a White Majority (67%) with minimal representation from other racial groups. By 2022, while still maintaining a White Majority, the community experienced significant growth in its Hispanic and Black populations.
The neighborhood demonstrates characteristics of a Transitional Community, particularly in the growth of its Hispanic population, which increased from 11% in 2013 to 22% in 2022. The Black population has fluctuated, reaching 23% in 2021 before decreasing to 14% in 2022. These trends suggest ongoing demographic changes that could potentially lead to a Majority-Minority status in the future if current patterns persist.
The median income in Oldtown has shown volatility over the past decade. It started at $23,548 in 2013, peaked at $29,540 in 2019, and then declined to $27,497 in 2022. This economic instability coincides with the demographic shifts, potentially indicating a relationship between the two.
The population has also fluctuated, decreasing from 2,661 in 2013 to a low of 2,068 in 2017, before increasing to 2,264 in 2022. These population changes, combined with income fluctuations, suggest a neighborhood in transition, possibly due to factors such as gentrification or changing economic opportunities.
The demographic shifts in Oldtown reflect broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas. The growth in the Hispanic population aligns with nationwide demographic changes. However, the economic volatility in Oldtown appears more pronounced than national averages, suggesting local factors at play.
The median income in Oldtown remains significantly below the national median household income, indicating persistent economic challenges despite some improvements. This economic disparity, coupled with increasing diversity, may reflect broader patterns of demographic change in mid-sized Midwestern cities, where historically white neighborhoods are becoming more diverse but often still face economic hurdles.
Oldtown exemplifies a neighborhood in transition, moving from Low Diversity to Moderate Diversity over the past decade. The interplay between demographic shifts and economic fluctuations suggests a complex process of community change, potentially influenced by factors such as migration, local economic conditions, and possibly gentrification. Continued monitoring of these demographic and economic trends will be crucial to understanding their impact on community cohesion and local development efforts.
