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Demographic Evolution in Union Park: From White Majority to Increasing Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Union Park, a neighborhood in Des Moines, Iowa, exhibits a White Majority demographic composition with a median income of $54,218 as of 2022. The neighborhood has shown signs of increasing diversity over the past decade, though it still maintains a predominantly white population. Union Park is known for its historic charm, featuring tree-lined streets and a mix of architectural styles that reflect its long-standing presence in Des Moines.
Over the past decade, Union Park has undergone a gradual transition from a Low Diversity community to one approaching Moderate Diversity. In 2013, the neighborhood was categorized as Low Diversity, with the white population comprising 74% of residents. By 2022, this percentage had decreased to 66%, indicating a slow but steady shift towards greater racial diversity.
The most notable changes include an increase in the Asian population from 4% in 2013 to 8% in 2022, growth in the Hispanic population from 10% in 2013 to 14% in 2022, a slight increase in the Black population from 7% in 2013 to 8% in 2021, though it returned to 7% in 2022, and the emergence of a more significant multiracial population, with those identifying as two or more races increasing from 2% in 2013 to 5% in 2022. These changes suggest that Union Park is slowly evolving into a Transitional Community, with increasing representation from various racial groups.
The demographic shifts in Union Park have occurred alongside fluctuations in median income. From 2013 to 2022, the median income increased from $49,070 to $54,218, representing a growth of about 10.5% over the decade. This growth was not linear. The median income peaked in 2020 at $57,374 before declining slightly in the following years. The period of most rapid income growth (2013-2015) coincided with the beginning of noticeable demographic shifts. The slight decline in median income from 2020 to 2022 occurred as the neighborhood continued to diversify, potentially reflecting changing economic dynamics as the community composition evolved.
The population of Union Park has remained relatively stable over the decade, with minor fluctuations. The 2022 population of 7,298 is only slightly higher than the 2013 population of 7,119, suggesting that demographic changes are more likely due to shifting composition of existing residents rather than large-scale in-migration.
The trends observed in Union Park align with broader national patterns of increasing diversity in urban neighborhoods. Many U.S. cities have experienced similar transitions, with traditionally white-majority areas slowly diversifying over time. The growth in Asian and Hispanic populations in Union Park mirrors national trends, where these groups have been among the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. population.
The economic trajectory of Union Park, with its overall increase in median income despite recent slight declines, reflects the complex interplay between demographic change and economic factors often seen in transitioning neighborhoods. This pattern is common in many urban areas across the United States, where increasing diversity can bring both economic opportunities and challenges.
Union Park represents a community in transition, gradually moving from Low Diversity to approaching Moderate Diversity. While still maintaining a White Majority, the neighborhood is showing clear signs of becoming more racially diverse. This demographic evolution, coupled with modest economic growth over the past decade, positions Union Park as a microcosm of broader urban demographic trends occurring across the United States.
