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Demographic Evolution of New Salem: Hispanic Plurality and Racial Composition Shifts
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
New Salem, a neighborhood in Wichita, Kansas, is characterized as a Majority-Minority community with moderate diversity as of 2022. The Hispanic population constitutes a plurality at 42%, followed by White (29%) and Asian (12%) residents. The neighborhood's median income in 2022 is $29,609, which is low compared to national averages. New Salem is known for its community gardens, which function as centers for cultural exchange and local food sustainability efforts.
Over the past decade, New Salem has experienced significant demographic changes. In 2013, the neighborhood exhibited High Diversity, with Asian (23%), Black (17%), Hispanic (39%), and White (17%) populations having substantial representation. By 2017, it transitioned to a Moderate Diversity classification, with Hispanic (30%), Black (28%), and White (25%) as the primary groups. From 2020 onwards, the community solidified its Majority-Minority status, with the Hispanic population consistently forming a plurality (42-46%). These changes suggest a gradual concentration of the Hispanic community, potentially due to factors such as immigration patterns or cultural clustering.
The median income in New Salem has shown an upward trend, increasing from $19,999 in 2013 to $29,609 in 2022. This 48% increase over a decade is notable, though the absolute values remain low. The economic improvement correlates with demographic changes. The rise of the Hispanic plurality coincides with the income increase, suggesting possible economic opportunities within this community. The Asian population decreased from 23% in 2013 to 12% in 2022, which might indicate outward migration of higher-income households. The Black population also decreased from 17% to 10%, potentially reflecting similar economic mobility patterns.
The population fluctuated over the years but showed overall growth from 1,617 in 2013 to 1,567 in 2022, indicating the neighborhood's ability to attract and retain residents despite economic challenges.
New Salem's demographic evolution reflects broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas. Its specific pattern of Hispanic growth is more pronounced than national averages. The economic growth, while positive, still leaves the neighborhood significantly below the median household income for Wichita ($59,861 in 2021) and the United States ($69,021 in 2021).
The neighborhood's transition to a Majority-Minority status with a strong Hispanic plurality aligns with trends seen in many Midwestern cities experiencing demographic shifts due to immigration and changing economic landscapes. The moderate income growth, despite remaining low overall, suggests a gradual economic improvement that may be linked to community resilience and potentially emerging entrepreneurial activities within the growing Hispanic community.
New Salem represents an urban neighborhood undergoing significant demographic and economic transitions. Its evolution from High Diversity to a Majority-Minority community with a Hispanic plurality, coupled with modest economic gains, presents both challenges and opportunities for community development and cultural integration in the coming years.
