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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in Chicago's Buena Park Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Buena Park, a neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois, has experienced significant demographic changes from 2013 to 2022. As of 2022, the neighborhood is classified as a "White Majority" community with 61% of the population identifying as white. This percentage has decreased from 71% in 2013, indicating a trend towards increased diversity. The neighborhood's median income was $71,147 in 2022, higher than the national median. Buena Park is notable for its historic district featuring Prairie School architecture.
Over the past decade, Buena Park has undergone a transformation in its racial composition. The neighborhood has shifted from "Low Diversity" in 2013 to approaching "Moderate Diversity" in 2022. The Hispanic population increased from 11% in 2013 to 15% in 2022. The Asian population grew from 6% in 2013 to 11% in 2022. The Black population fluctuated, decreasing from 9% in 2013 to 5% in 2019, then increasing to 9% by 2022. These changes suggest a transition towards a more diverse community.
The demographic shifts in Buena Park have been accompanied by economic changes. Median income showed an overall upward trend, increasing from $66,111 in 2013 to $71,147 in 2022, with fluctuations in between. The peak median income was $76,052 in 2021, coinciding with the highest Asian population percentage (13%) and one of the lowest white population percentages (62%). Population figures remained relatively stable, with a slight decrease from 11,477 in 2013 to 11,220 in 2022.
The trends observed in Buena Park align with broader patterns seen in many urban areas across the United States. Increasing diversity in historically white-majority neighborhoods is a common phenomenon in many American cities. The growth in Asian and Hispanic populations mirrors national trends, where these groups have been among the fastest-growing demographics in the country. The positive correlation between increasing diversity and rising median incomes challenges some traditional narratives about demographic change and economic outcomes.
Buena Park's evolution from a predominantly white, low-diversity neighborhood to one approaching moderate diversity reflects broader national trends of urbanization and demographic shift. The concurrent increase in median income suggests that this diversification has been accompanied by economic growth. As Buena Park continues to evolve, it may fully transition into a "Moderate Diversity" or "High Diversity" category in the coming years.
