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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in Franklin Gateway, Waterloo: A Study of Neighborhood Transition
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Franklin Gateway, a neighborhood in Waterloo, Iowa, exhibits Moderate Diversity as of 2022. The neighborhood's population comprises 47% White, 33% Black, and 14% Hispanic residents. The median income in 2022 was $20,572. Franklin Gateway is part of Waterloo, a city known for its industrial heritage and diversity within Iowa.
Over the past decade, Franklin Gateway has undergone a demographic transition. In 2013, the neighborhood had a White-Black balance (White 47%, Black 43%). By 2022, it shifted to a Moderate Diversity classification, with a more pronounced White plurality and an increased Hispanic population. The Black population decreased from 43% in 2013 to 33% in 2022, while the Hispanic population increased from 7% to 14% during this period.
The median income in Franklin Gateway increased from $16,453 in 2013 to $20,572 in 2022, representing a 25% growth over the decade. These income levels remain below national averages. The population of Franklin Gateway decreased from 1,280 in 2013 to 1,017 in 2022, a decline of about 20%.
The demographic shifts in Franklin Gateway reflect trends seen in many Midwestern cities, where industrial areas are experiencing changes in racial composition and economic restructuring. The growth of the Hispanic population aligns with national trends of increasing Hispanic representation in Midwestern urban and rural areas.
The low median income levels in Franklin Gateway, despite some growth, contrast with national trends of more substantial income increases over the same period. This suggests that the neighborhood faces particular economic challenges that may be more acute than those experienced in other parts of Waterloo or similar Midwestern cities.
The transition towards greater diversity in Franklin Gateway aligns with broader patterns of demographic change in Iowa's urban centers. However, the declining overall population may indicate challenges in retaining residents, possibly due to economic factors or changing neighborhood dynamics.
Franklin Gateway represents a neighborhood in transition, shifting from a binary racial composition to one of Moderate Diversity. Economic indicators show modest improvement but still lag behind national averages. These changes reflect broader regional trends while highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities faced by this Waterloo neighborhood as it navigates demographic and economic shifts in the 21st century.
