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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in East Fourteenth Street, Davenport: A Decade of Change
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The East Fourteenth Street neighborhood in Davenport, Iowa, has undergone significant demographic changes from 2013 to 2022. As of 2022, it is classified as a "Majority-Minority" community, with White residents constituting 48% of the population. The median income in 2022 was $44,265, indicating a working-class to lower-middle-class economic profile. East 14th Street has historical significance as a former vibrant commercial corridor in Davenport.
Over the past decade, East Fourteenth Street has experienced a substantial demographic transformation. In 2013, the neighborhood was categorized as a "White Majority" community, with White residents comprising 59% of the population. By 2020, it had transitioned to a "Majority-Minority" status, which has continued through 2022. This change is primarily attributed to an increase in the Black population, which rose from 22% in 2013 to 35% in 2022.
The neighborhood has shown signs of increasing diversity. While not meeting the criteria for "High Diversity," it has moved towards "Moderate Diversity" in recent years. The Hispanic population has remained relatively stable at 7-9% throughout the decade. A small but consistent Asian population of 2-3% has emerged since 2017, and there has been an increase in residents identifying as two or more races, from 3% in 2019 to 8% in 2022.
The demographic shifts in East Fourteenth Street have coincided with fluctuations in median income. From 2013 to 2015, there was an increase in median income from $26,602 to $49,610, aligning with a period of relative stability in racial composition. As the neighborhood transitioned towards greater diversity and Majority-Minority status from 2016 onwards, the median income showed a general downward trend, reaching $44,265 in 2022.
The demographic changes in East Fourteenth Street reflect broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban neighborhoods. Many U.S. cities have experienced similar transitions from predominantly White communities to more diverse, Majority-Minority areas. The rapid increase in the Black population in this neighborhood, from 22% to 35% in less than a decade, is notable and may indicate specific local factors such as changing housing policies or economic opportunities.
The economic fluctuations, particularly the sharp rise and subsequent gradual decline in median income, may reflect wider economic trends affecting mid-sized Midwestern cities. Many such cities have dealt with deindustrialization and subsequent efforts at economic diversification, which can lead to income volatility at the neighborhood level.
East Fourteenth Street exemplifies a neighborhood in transition, both demographically and economically. Its evolution from a White Majority to a Majority-Minority community, coupled with economic fluctuations, presents challenges and opportunities for community development and social cohesion. The neighborhood's trajectory highlights the importance of inclusive policies that can leverage the benefits of diversity while addressing potential economic disparities.
