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Demographic Evolution of Merle Hay: A Study of Racial Composition from 2013 to 2022
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Merle Hay neighborhood in Des Moines, Iowa, is classified as a "Low Diversity" community with a "White Majority" as of 2022. The neighborhood has a population of 16,897 and a median income of $65,237. Merle Hay is notable for housing the Merle Hay Mall, one of Iowa's oldest shopping centers, established in 1959.
Over the past decade, Merle Hay has maintained its status as a "Low Diversity" community with a "White Majority". The white population percentage has decreased from 84% in 2013 to 79% in 2022. This change indicates a slow diversification of the neighborhood.
The Hispanic and Asian populations have shown the most significant changes. The Hispanic population increased from 3% in 2013 to 8% in 2022. The Asian population increased from 4% in 2013 to 6% in 2022. These trends suggest that Merle Hay may be slowly evolving into a "Transitional Community".
The median income in Merle Hay has increased from $59,522 in 2013 to $65,237 in 2022, with a peak of $71,447 in 2021. This increase in median income correlates with the gradual diversification of the neighborhood.
The population has remained stable over the decade, fluctuating between approximately 15,800 and 17,000 residents. This stability, combined with rising incomes and increasing diversity, may indicate that Merle Hay is becoming attractive to a wider range of residents while maintaining its core community.
The gradual diversification of Merle Hay aligns with broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban areas. The pace of change in Merle Hay appears to be slower than in many other U.S. suburbs.
The steady increase in median income in Merle Hay reflects a national trend of economic recovery and growth following the 2008 recession. The significant increase in median income in 2021 followed by a decrease in 2022 may be related to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recovery efforts.
Merle Hay remains a predominantly white, low-diversity neighborhood, but shows signs of gradual diversification and economic growth. These changes suggest that the neighborhood is evolving in line with broader national trends towards increased diversity and economic development in suburban areas. The community's ability to maintain population stability while increasing its median income and diversity may position it well for future growth and development.
