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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in Thunderbird Estates, Aurora, Colorado: A Study of Neighborhood Transition
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Thunderbird Estates, a neighborhood in Aurora, Colorado, exhibits a demographic profile categorized as "Moderate Diversity" as of 2022. The community is characterized by a White majority (60%) with a significant Hispanic presence (29%), and smaller Asian (3%) and Black (7%) populations. The neighborhood's median income increased from $69,250 in 2019 to $154,928 in 2022, indicating potential gentrification or economic development.
Over the past decade, Thunderbird Estates has undergone significant demographic shifts. In 2013, the neighborhood had a "White Majority" with 72% of the population being white. By 2017, it transitioned to a "Majority-Minority" community, with the Hispanic population growing to 58% and the white population decreasing to 39%. However, by 2020, the neighborhood reverted to a "White Majority" status, which has been maintained through 2022.
The neighborhood can be classified as a "Transitional Community" due to fluctuations in racial composition. The Hispanic population increased significantly from 2013 to 2017, followed by a sharp decline from 2019 to 2022. Concurrently, there has been a gradual increase in the Asian and Black populations, indicating a trend towards increasing diversity, albeit at a slower pace than the Hispanic population changes.
The demographic shifts in Thunderbird Estates have been accompanied by significant economic changes. The median income remained relatively stable between 2013 and 2019, ranging from about $57,000 to $69,000. However, there was a dramatic increase in 2020, with the median income more than doubling to $154,995. This surge coincided with a shift back to a White majority in the neighborhood.
The population of the neighborhood has been declining since 2019, dropping from 516 to 273 in 2022. This population decrease, coupled with the significant income increase, could indicate a gentrification process where lower-income residents are being displaced by higher-income newcomers.
The demographic and economic changes in Thunderbird Estates reflect broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States. The initial increase in Hispanic population aligns with national trends of growing Hispanic communities in many cities. However, the subsequent reversal and rapid income growth are more unusual and may be specific to this neighborhood or the broader Aurora area.
The sharp increase in median income, particularly during the 2020-2022 period, is notably higher than national trends. The declining population despite rising incomes is also noteworthy and could be indicative of larger homes replacing smaller, more affordable housing units, or a shift from family households to higher-income individuals or couples without children.
Thunderbird Estates presents a complex picture of demographic and economic change. While it has maintained a moderate level of diversity, the rapid economic shifts and population decline suggest a neighborhood in transition, potentially moving towards a more affluent, less densely populated community. These changes likely have significant implications for local services, school enrollment, and community dynamics that merit close attention from city planners and policymakers.
