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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in Majestic Commercenter, Aurora: A Study of Hispanic Majority Emergence
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Majestic Commercenter neighborhood in Aurora, Colorado, exhibited a population of 614 and a median income of $39,515 in 2022. It is classified as a "Majority-Minority" area, with Hispanic residents constituting the largest group at 54%. This predominantly commercial area has experienced significant demographic changes over the past decade.
The neighborhood underwent three distinct phases of demographic shifts from 2013 to 2022. From 2013 to 2015, it was categorized as a "Moderate Diversity" area, with Hispanic residents forming a plurality of 40-44%, followed by White (24-26%) and Black (21-26%) populations. Between 2016 and 2020, the area transitioned to a "White Plurality" status, with White residents comprising 37-48% of the population, while Hispanic representation decreased to 27-34% and the Black population remained relatively stable at 17-22%.
In 2021-2022, a significant shift occurred, transforming the neighborhood into a "Hispanic Majority" area. By 2022, Hispanic residents constituted 54% of the population, while White representation decreased to 31% and Black to 12%. These changes suggest a "Transitional Community" status for the Majestic Commercenter neighborhood.
The economic profile of the neighborhood has shown volatility over the same period. From 2013 to 2015, the median income was relatively high, peaking at $79,927 in 2015. A sharp decline occurred between 2016 and 2020, with the median income dropping to $50,468 in 2017 before gradually recovering to $62,769 by 2020. Another significant shift took place in 2021-2022, with income rising to $76,694 in 2021 before decreasing to $39,515 in 2022.
These economic fluctuations correlate with the demographic shifts observed in the neighborhood. The initial high incomes coincided with a more diverse population. The transition to a White plurality was accompanied by a period of lower but stabilizing incomes. The recent Hispanic majority corresponds with a decrease in median income, possibly indicating an influx of working-class Hispanic residents.
The rapid demographic changes in Majestic Commercenter reflect broader trends in the Denver metro area, which has experienced significant Hispanic population growth. However, the neighborhood's shifts are more pronounced than regional averages. The economic volatility, particularly the sharp decline in 2022, is atypical and may be related to specific local factors.
The neighborhood's transition from a commercial-centric area to one with a growing residential population is evidenced by the increase from 249 residents in 2021 to 614 in 2022. This rapid growth and demographic shift could indicate new affordable housing projects or the conversion of commercial spaces to residential use, attracting a predominantly Hispanic, lower-income population.
These changes present both opportunities and challenges for community cohesion, local services, and economic development strategies in the Majestic Commercenter area.
