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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in Good Shepherd Neighborhood, Waterloo, Iowa
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Good Shepherd neighborhood in Waterloo, Iowa, exhibits a demographic profile characterized as a "White Majority" community, with 64% of the population identifying as white in 2022. The neighborhood's median income was $59,598 in 2022. Good Shepherd has experienced fluctuations in both its demographic composition and economic indicators over the past decade.
Over the past decade, Good Shepherd has transitioned from a community with "Low Diversity" to one with "Moderate Diversity." In 2013, 73% of the population identified as white, categorizing the neighborhood as "White Majority." By 2018, this percentage decreased to 53%, nearly shifting the community into a "Transitional Community" status. The Black population increased from 24% in 2013 to 34% in 2018.
The trend towards increased diversity has stabilized in recent years, with the white population at 64% and the Black population at 24% in 2022. The emergence of a "Two or More Races" category (8% in 2022) indicates an ongoing trend towards increased diversity and potentially signals a continuing "Transitional Community" status.
The demographic shifts in Good Shepherd correlate with changes in median income. As the community became more diverse between 2013 and 2018, median income decreased from $50,835 in 2013 to $45,699 in 2018. This trend reversed after 2018, with median income rising to $59,598 by 2022, coinciding with a slight increase in the white population percentage and growth in the "Two or More Races" category.
Population figures have remained relatively stable over the decade, fluctuating between approximately 1,900 and 2,400 residents. This suggests that demographic changes are more likely due to shifts within the existing population or targeted migration rather than large-scale population turnover.
The demographic trends in Good Shepherd align with broader national patterns of increasing diversity in urban and suburban areas. The growth in the "Two or More Races" category corresponds with national trends showing rapid growth in multiracial identifications across the United States.
The economic fluctuations in Good Shepherd, particularly the recent upswing, may reflect broader economic recovery trends seen in many Midwestern cities. The specific pattern of demographic change followed by economic improvement could indicate targeted urban renewal or economic development initiatives in Waterloo.
Good Shepherd represents a neighborhood in transition, balancing increased racial diversity with economic fluctuations. The community's ability to maintain a diverse population while experiencing recent economic growth could serve as a model for inclusive urban development in similar mid-sized Midwestern cities.
