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Demographic Shifts in Goshen Avenue Neighborhood: From Moderate Diversity to White Majority
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Goshen Avenue neighborhood in Elkhart, Indiana, currently exhibits a demographic profile categorized as "Low Diversity" with a white majority. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a population of 636 and a median income of $22,133. This area has undergone significant demographic shifts over the past decade, transitioning from a more diverse community to its current composition. The neighborhood is located near the St. Joseph River, which has historically influenced the city's economic and recreational activities.
The Goshen Avenue neighborhood has experienced a notable transition in its racial composition over the past decade. In 2013, the area was classified as having "Moderate Diversity," with a white majority (73%) and significant black (11%) and Hispanic (10%) populations. By 2016-2017, the neighborhood had shifted to a "Majority-Minority" status, with the white population decreasing to around 40% and Hispanic and black populations increasing significantly.
From 2018 onwards, a reversal of this trend began. The neighborhood transitioned back through a period of "Moderate Diversity" in 2019-2020 to its current "Low Diversity" status in 2022, with the white population reaching 81%. This shift represents a significant change in the neighborhood's demographic makeup over a relatively short period.
The median income in the Goshen Avenue neighborhood has remained relatively stable over the past decade, fluctuating between $20,000 and $23,500. The periods of greater racial diversity (2016-2019) coincided with some of the lower median income figures, while the recent shift back to a white majority has seen a slight increase in median income. The population of the neighborhood has also seen fluctuations, with an increase from 507 in 2019 to 636 in 2022. This population growth coincides with the shift back to a white majority.
The demographic shifts observed in the Goshen Avenue neighborhood differ from national trends. While many urban areas across the United States have been experiencing increasing diversity, this neighborhood has reversed course, becoming less diverse over time. This could indicate local economic or social factors specific to Elkhart or this particular neighborhood. The median income in this neighborhood remains significantly below the national median household income, which was around $67,000 in 2020.
The population growth in recent years, coupled with the shift in racial composition, might indicate a localized gentrification process or changes in local housing or employment markets that are attracting a different demographic to the area. The Goshen Avenue neighborhood presents a case of demographic reversal, transitioning from increasing diversity to decreasing diversity over the past decade. This shift, coupled with relatively stagnant income levels and recent population growth, suggests a complex interplay of local factors influencing the area's socio-economic landscape.
