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Demographic Evolution in the Woodlands of Riverside: A Study of Racial Diversity and Economic Change
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Woodlands of Riverside neighborhood in Fort Wayne, Indiana, demonstrates demographic evolution. As of 2022, it is categorized as a "Moderate Diversity" community, with a white population of 56%, Black population of 23%, and Hispanic population of 15%. The neighborhood's population increased from 745 in 2010 to 1,378 in 2022. The median income in 2022 was $51,046. The neighborhood is located near the St. Joseph River.
Over the past decade, the Woodlands of Riverside has transformed in racial composition. In 2013, the neighborhood had "Low Diversity" with a "White Majority" of 71%. By 2022, it transitioned to "Moderate Diversity" with a decrease in the white population to 56% and increases in Black (23%) and Hispanic (15%) populations. The community briefly reached "High Diversity" status around 2018-2019 when no single group exceeded 76% and three groups each represented over 10% of the population.
The neighborhood's economic trajectory shows an upward trend in median income, rising from $31,499 in 2013 to $51,046 in 2022, a 62% increase over nine years. This growth was not linear, with fluctuations including a peak of $55,151 in 2021 followed by a slight decline in 2022. The periods of rapid income growth (2013-2018) coincided with the initial stages of increased racial diversification.
The demographic shifts in the Woodlands of Riverside align with broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban areas. Many U.S. cities have experienced similar transitions from predominantly white communities to more diverse neighborhoods in the last two decades.
The economic growth in this neighborhood outpaces the national average. While the U.S. median household income grew by about 10% between 2013 and 2022 (adjusted for inflation), the Woodlands of Riverside saw a 62% increase in the same period. However, the neighborhood's median income of $51,046 in 2022 is below the national median of approximately $70,784 for the same year.
The Woodlands of Riverside exemplifies a community in transition, moving from low diversity to moderate diversity with concurrent economic growth. This evolution reflects broader national trends towards increased suburban diversity and suggests a dynamic, changing neighborhood character that may continue to evolve in the coming years.
