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Demographic Shifts in Leschi: From Moderate Diversity to White Majority
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Leschi, a neighborhood in Seattle, Washington, currently exhibits a "White Majority" community with a significant level of diversity. As of 2022, the white population comprises 62% of the neighborhood. The median income in Leschi was $136,768 in 2022, indicating its status as an affluent area within Seattle. Leschi is known for its views of Lake Washington and contains the historic Leschi Park.
Over the past decade, Leschi has experienced notable demographic changes. In 2013, the neighborhood was categorized as having "Moderate Diversity," with a white population of 55% and significant Black (23%) and Asian (6%) communities. By 2022, the neighborhood transitioned to a "White Majority" status, with the white population increasing to 62%.
The Black population experienced a decline from 23% in 2013 to 12% in 2022. The Asian population increased from 6% to 9%, while the Hispanic population grew from 4% to 9%. These shifts indicate a trend towards increased white population dominance, coupled with a diversification of minority groups, particularly growth in Asian and Hispanic communities.
The demographic changes in Leschi correlate with economic shifts. The median income increased from $128,651 in 2013 to $136,768 in 2022, a rise of about 6.3%. This growth in median income, along with the increasing white majority, may suggest a trend of more affluent residents moving into the area.
The population of Leschi fluctuated over the decade, peaking at 6,972 in 2019 before declining to 5,810 in 2022. This population decrease, combined with rising median income, could indicate a trend of larger, more expensive housing units replacing more affordable, higher-density housing options.
Leschi's demographic shifts reflect broader trends seen in many urban neighborhoods across the United States, particularly in tech-centric cities like Seattle. The increase in white population percentage and rising median income is consistent with patterns of gentrification observed in many inner-city neighborhoods nationwide.
Leschi's median income of $136,768 in 2022 is higher than the national median household income of approximately $70,784 for the same year, highlighting the neighborhood's affluence within the broader national context.
The decrease in the Black population percentage in Leschi (from 23% to 12% over a decade) is more pronounced than national trends. Nationally, the Black population percentage has remained relatively stable, suggesting that Leschi's changes may be more closely tied to local economic and housing market dynamics in Seattle.
Leschi has transitioned from a moderately diverse neighborhood to one with a stronger white majority over the past decade. This shift, combined with rising median incomes and a fluctuating population, indicates ongoing gentrification processes that are reshaping the demographic and economic landscape of this Seattle neighborhood.
