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Demographic Shifts in Macdonald Neighborhood: From Moderate to Low Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Macdonald neighborhood in Wichita, Kansas, has transformed from a moderately diverse community to one with low diversity and a strong White majority between 2013 and 2022. In 2013, the neighborhood was categorized as "Moderate Diversity" with a 52% White population, 27% Black population, and 15% Hispanic population. By 2022, the demographic composition had shifted significantly, with the White population increasing to 79%, while the Black and Hispanic populations decreased to 12% and 6% respectively.
This demographic transition coincided with substantial economic changes in the neighborhood. The median income increased from $43,974 in 2019 to $64,718 in 2022, indicating a period of economic improvement for residents. The correlation between increasing median income and the growing White majority suggests a possible gentrification process.
The shift towards a White majority began around 2019-2020, with the White population increasing from 56% in 2019 to 64% in 2020. This trend continued and intensified over the following years. Concurrently, there was a significant decrease in the Black and Hispanic populations.
The demographic changes in Macdonald correlate strongly with economic trends. The substantial increase in median income coincided with the beginning of the shift towards a White majority. This upward trend in income continued throughout the observed period.
Despite these demographic changes, the overall population of the neighborhood has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 1,000 and 1,100 residents throughout the decade. The trends observed in Macdonald align with patterns seen in many urban areas across the United States, where gentrification often involves demographic shifts similar to those seen here.
The rapid nature of this transition in Macdonald, from moderate diversity to low diversity in just a few years, is particularly notable. This transformation may warrant further investigation into local policies or economic factors that could have accelerated this change. The Macdonald neighborhood's evolution demonstrates a complex interplay between racial composition and economic factors in shaping the area's character and future prospects.
