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Demographic Shifts in Prospect Neighborhood: White Majority with Increasing Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Prospect neighborhood in Jonesboro, Arkansas, is a White Majority community with moderate diversity. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a population of 6,135 and a median income of $58,336. Prospect has experienced demographic shifts over the past decade, transitioning from a low diversity area to one with increasing racial diversity and economic fluctuations.
In 2013, Prospect was categorized as a Low Diversity community, with the white population comprising 89% of residents. By 2022, while still maintaining a White Majority (74%), the community had shifted to Moderate Diversity, with increases in Black (17%) and Hispanic (4%) populations. This transition was most pronounced between 2019 and 2021, where the white population decreased from 79% to 68%, while the Black population increased from 13% to 21%.
The median income in Prospect has shown volatility over the past decade. Starting at $47,288 in 2013, it rose to peak at $72,039 in 2021, before dropping to $58,336 in 2022. The period of greatest income growth (2018-2021) coincides with the most significant increases in racial diversity. This suggests that the influx of new residents may have brought higher-income households to the area, potentially driving up property values and attracting more diverse, affluent residents.
The trends observed in Prospect align with patterns seen in many American suburbs. The gradual diversification of previously homogeneous communities is a common phenomenon, often driven by factors such as changing housing preferences, job opportunities, and evolving social attitudes.
The economic volatility, particularly the sharp rise and fall in median income, may reflect larger economic trends such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. Many areas experienced rapid income growth during 2020-2021 due to government stimulus and changing work patterns, followed by a correction as these temporary factors subsided.
Prospect exemplifies a community in transition, moving from low diversity to moderate diversity over a decade. This demographic evolution, coupled with significant economic fluctuations, suggests a neighborhood undergoing substantial changes in its social and economic fabric. These shifts likely bring both opportunities and challenges for community cohesion and local policy-making as the neighborhood continues to evolve.
