Loading Content...
Demographic Shifts and Racial Diversity in Historic Centennial, Lafayette
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Historic Centennial in Lafayette, Indiana, demonstrates characteristics of a "Moderate Diversity" community with a "White Majority" as of 2022. The neighborhood has a population of 764 and a median income of $31,487. This historic area has experienced significant demographic changes over the past decade, reflecting broader shifts in urban demographics across the United States.
From 2013 to 2022, Historic Centennial transitioned from a "Low Diversity" area with a strong "White Majority" (90% white) to "Moderate Diversity" with 75% white population. Other racial groups, particularly Black and Hispanic populations, increased their presence. The Black population grew from 2% in 2013 to 12% in 2022, with a peak of 20% in 2021. The Hispanic population increased from 2% to 8% over the same period.
The Asian population in Historic Centennial showed fluctuations, peaking at 7% in 2019 before settling at 3% in 2022. The median income in the neighborhood has seen remarkable growth, more than doubling from $15,447 in 2013 to $31,487 in 2022. This substantial increase suggests improving economic conditions and potentially changing demographics.
The increase in diversity coincides with the rise in median income. This could indicate that the neighborhood is attracting a more diverse, potentially younger, and economically mobile population. Despite demographic shifts, the overall population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 582 and 793 residents over the decade.
The trends observed in Historic Centennial align with broader national patterns of increasing diversity in urban areas. Many U.S. cities have experienced similar transitions from predominantly white neighborhoods to more diverse communities, often accompanied by economic changes. The significant income growth in Historic Centennial outpaces the national average, which could be indicative of local economic factors such as new job opportunities, urban renewal projects, or changing housing markets attracting higher-income residents.
The neighborhood's transition to moderate diversity, while maintaining a white majority, is a common pattern in many Midwestern cities that have historically been predominantly white but are gradually becoming more diverse due to migration patterns and changing demographics. Historic Centennial presents a microcosm of broader demographic shifts occurring across the United States. Its evolution from a low-diversity area to a moderately diverse, transitional community with significant economic growth reflects the complex interplay of racial, economic, and social factors shaping American urban landscapes in the 21st century.
