Loading Content...
Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in Pioneer Park, Des Moines
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Pioneer Park, a neighborhood in Des Moines, Iowa, exhibits a Moderate Diversity profile with a transitioning demographic landscape. As of 2022, the area is characterized by a white plurality (35%), with significant Asian (24%) and Hispanic (23%) populations. The neighborhood's median income of $58,294 in 2022 reflects its socioeconomic environment. Pioneer Park is known for its historical significance as one of Des Moines' earliest settled areas.
Over the past decade, Pioneer Park has transformed from a White Majority community to one of Moderate Diversity. In 2013, the neighborhood was categorized as a White Majority with 49% of the population. By 2022, this had decreased to 35%, no longer constituting a majority or plurality. The Asian population increased from 10% in 2013 to 24% in 2022, becoming the second-largest racial group. The Hispanic population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 23-29% throughout the decade.
This shift can be categorized as a Transitional Community, with the white population steadily decreasing and the Asian population significantly increasing. The demographic shifts correlate with economic changes in Pioneer Park. The median income has shown an overall upward trend, from $46,308 in 2013 to $58,294 in 2022, representing a 25.9% increase. This economic growth coincides with the increasing diversity of the neighborhood, particularly the growth of the Asian population.
There was a significant increase in median income between 2020 and 2021, from $58,997 to $63,603, which aligns with a substantial increase in the Asian population from 18% to 22%. This could suggest that the influx of Asian residents may be associated with higher-income individuals, potentially contributing to the neighborhood's economic growth.
The demographic shifts in Pioneer Park reflect broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas. The rapid growth of the Asian population in this neighborhood outpaces national averages, suggesting a unique local dynamic. The economic growth observed in Pioneer Park also aligns with national trends of income growth in diverse urban areas, but the specific correlation between Asian population growth and income increases may be more pronounced in this neighborhood than in national averages.
Pioneer Park's evolution from a White Majority to a Moderately Diverse, Transitional Community over the past decade reflects significant demographic and economic changes. The increasing diversity, particularly driven by Asian population growth, correlates with rising median incomes, suggesting a relationship between demographic shifts and economic development in this historically significant Des Moines neighborhood.
