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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in Montbello, Denver: A Decade of Change
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
DATA SOURCE
United States Census Bureau: American Community Survey Data (ACS)
Montbello, a neighborhood in Denver, Colorado, is characterized as a Majority-Minority community with a Hispanic Majority. As of 2022, the Hispanic population comprises 68% of the neighborhood. The neighborhood has experienced economic growth, with median income increasing from $55,040 in 2013 to $67,953 in 2022, indicating a growing middle-class presence. Montbello features diverse housing options, including single-family homes and apartments, which has contributed to its demographic changes over the past decade.
In 2013, Montbello was already classified as a Majority-Minority community, with the Hispanic population at 60% and Black residents at 25%. Over the decade, the neighborhood transitioned from a Moderate Diversity status to a more pronounced Hispanic Majority. The Hispanic population increased to 68% by 2022, while the Black population decreased to 18%. This shift suggests a trend of Hispanic influx and possible Black outmigration.
The White population remained relatively stable but low, decreasing slightly from 9% to 8% over the decade. The Asian population increased from 1% to 2%, while other racial categories remained minimal. This evolution reinforces Montbello's status as a center of Hispanic culture in Denver, potentially attracting more Hispanic residents through community networks and cultural amenities.
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The demographic shifts in Montbello correlate with significant economic changes. The median income rose from $55,040 in 2013 to $67,953 in 2022, a 23.5% increase. This growth outpaces inflation for the same period, indicating real economic gains for residents. The most dramatic increase occurred between 2020 and 2021, with median income increasing from $69,139 to $80,485, before slightly decreasing in 2022.
This economic growth coincides with the increasing Hispanic majority, suggesting that the Hispanic community in Montbello has experienced upward economic mobility. The decrease in the Black population percentage might be partly attributed to economic factors, possibly indicating that some Black residents moved to other areas as property values increased.
Montbello's demographic evolution reflects broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States, where Hispanic populations are growing and becoming more economically established. The neighborhood's transition to a stronger Hispanic majority, coupled with economic growth, mirrors patterns seen in cities like Los Angeles, Houston, and Chicago, where Hispanic communities have become economic and cultural anchors.
Montbello's changes are more pronounced than national averages. While the U.S. Hispanic population grew by about 2 percentage points between 2010 and 2020, Montbello's Hispanic population increased by 8 percentage points in a decade. This suggests that Montbello is at the forefront of demographic shifts seen nationally, potentially serving as a model for understanding the economic and social impacts of growing Hispanic communities in urban settings.
The economic growth in Montbello also outpaces national trends. While U.S. median household income grew by about 10% between 2013 and 2022 (adjusted for inflation), Montbello's 23.5% growth indicates a neighborhood experiencing rapid economic development, possibly due to Denver's overall economic boom and the growing economic power of its Hispanic community.
Montbello's evolution over the past decade showcases a neighborhood transitioning to a stronger Hispanic Majority while experiencing significant economic growth. This transformation reflects and amplifies national trends in Hispanic population growth and economic advancement, positioning Montbello as an example of demographic and economic shifts in urban America.
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