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Demographic Shifts in Delano, Wichita: White Majority and Increasing Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Delano neighborhood in Wichita, Kansas exhibits a White Majority demographic composition, with 63% of the population identifying as white in 2022. The neighborhood is showing signs of increasing diversity over the past decade. Delano has a median income of $42,729 in 2022, representing a working-class area within Wichita. The neighborhood has historic significance as a former cowtown and contains a local business district undergoing revitalization efforts.
Over the past decade, Delano has transitioned from a Low Diversity community to one approaching Moderate Diversity. In 2013, the neighborhood exhibited a White Majority at 69%, with minimal representation from other racial groups. By 2022, the white percentage had decreased to 63%. This shift is attributed to increases in Hispanic and Black populations, which grew from 20% and 2% in 2013 to 21% and 7% in 2022, respectively. The community shows characteristics of a Transitional Community, with consistent growth in minority populations, particularly Hispanic and multiracial residents.
The demographic shifts in Delano correlate with fluctuations in median income. From 2013 to 2019, there was an increase in median income from $37,412 to $44,529, coinciding with the gradual diversification of the neighborhood. There was a dip in 2020 and 2021, possibly due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, before a slight recovery in 2022 to $42,729. This trend suggests that while increasing diversity initially corresponded with economic growth, external factors have recently influenced the neighborhood's economic trajectory.
The population of Delano has remained relatively stable over the decade, fluctuating between about 6,200 and 6,800 residents. This stability, combined with the changing racial composition, indicates that the demographic shifts are likely due to a combination of natural population change and migration patterns rather than large-scale displacement or rapid gentrification.
The trends observed in Delano mirror broader national patterns of increasing diversity in urban neighborhoods. Many cities across the United States have experienced similar transitions from predominantly white communities to more diverse areas, particularly with growth in Hispanic populations. The economic fluctuations seen in Delano, especially the dip in 2020-2021, are consistent with national trends related to the pandemic's economic impact on working-class neighborhoods.
Delano's transition appears to be more gradual compared to some rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods in larger metropolitan areas. This slower pace of change may allow for a more organic integration of new residents and potentially mitigate some of the displacement issues often associated with rapid demographic shifts.
Delano represents a neighborhood in transition, moving towards greater diversity while maintaining its working-class character. The interplay between demographic changes and economic trends suggests a community adapting to broader societal shifts, with potential challenges and opportunities as it continues to evolve in the coming years.
