Loading Content...
Demographic Evolution of Burning Tree Neighborhood: A Study of Racial Composition and Income Trends
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Burning Tree neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, exhibits a noteworthy pattern of demographic change. As of 2022, it is classified as a "White Majority" community, with 56% of the population identifying as white. This classification, however, does not fully capture the complex demographic shifts that have occurred over the past decade. The neighborhood's median income stood at $36,022 in 2022, indicating a moderate economic status within the Tulsa metropolitan area. The proximity of Burning Tree to the Tulsa Hills Shopping Center is a notable feature that may have influenced its demographic and economic trends.
In 2013, Burning Tree was categorized as "White Majority" with 57% of the population identifying as white. The neighborhood subsequently transitioned into the "Moderate Diversity" category from 2015 to 2018, characterized by no racial group exceeding 50% of the population and at least two groups (White and Black) having significant representation (over 20% each). By 2016, the white population had decreased to 45%, while both Black and Hispanic populations reached 20%. This period marked the peak of diversity in the neighborhood. From 2019 onwards, there has been a gradual shift back towards a "White Majority," resulting in the 56% white population observed in 2022.
This trajectory suggests that Burning Tree could be classified as a "Transitional Community," experiencing significant changes in its racial composition over the defined period. The increase in Hispanic and multiracial populations, alongside fluctuations in the white and Black populations, indicates a trend towards changing diversity patterns.
The median income in Burning Tree has demonstrated considerable fluctuation over the years, correlating with the demographic shifts. In 2013, when the neighborhood was solidly "White Majority," the median income was $31,746. As the community became more diverse, reaching peak diversity around 2016-2017, the median income rose to $36,535 in 2016 but then decreased to $34,052 in 2017. As the neighborhood began to shift back towards a "White Majority" from 2019 onwards, there was a general upward trend in median income, peaking at $39,554 in 2021 before settling at $36,022 in 2022. This suggests that while increased diversity initially corresponded with rising incomes, the return to a white majority has also seen overall economic improvement in the neighborhood.
The demographic shifts observed in Burning Tree reflect broader trends seen in many urban and suburban areas across the United States. The initial increase in diversity, followed by a partial reversal, could be indicative of gentrification processes or changing housing preferences among different racial groups. The fluctuating median income, while showing an overall upward trend, remains below the national median household income, which was approximately $70,784 in 2021. This suggests that while Burning Tree has experienced economic growth, it still faces economic challenges compared to national averages.
The neighborhood's proximity to the Tulsa Hills Shopping Center may have played a role in these demographic and economic shifts. Such commercial developments often attract diverse populations and can lead to increased property values and changing neighborhood compositions over time. Burning Tree exemplifies the complex interplay between racial demographics and economic factors in American neighborhoods. Its transition from a clear white majority through a period of increased diversity and back to a white majority, all while experiencing economic fluctuations, highlights the dynamic nature of urban demographics and the ongoing processes of community change in mid-sized American cities.
