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Demographic Shifts in Schweiter Neighborhood: From White Majority to Increasing Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Schweiter neighborhood in Wichita, Kansas, exhibits a White Majority demographic composition, with 57% of the population identifying as white in 2022. The neighborhood shows signs of increasing diversity over the past decade. With a median income of $42,034 in 2022, Schweiter falls below the national median household income, suggesting a working-class to middle-class economic profile. Schweiter is known for its mix of residential and commercial areas, including the Towne East Square shopping mall.
Over the past decade, Schweiter has transitioned from a Low Diversity community to one approaching Moderate Diversity. In 2013, the neighborhood exhibited a White Majority (64%). By 2022, while still maintaining a White Majority (57%), the community has seen increases in Asian, Black, and Hispanic populations. This shift suggests a Transitional Community status, with the white population decreasing by 7 percentage points and other racial groups gaining representation.
The Hispanic population has increased from 14% in 2013 to 17% in 2022. The Asian population has risen from 5% to 11% in the same period. The Black population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 6% and 15% over the years.
The median income in Schweiter has experienced fluctuations over the past decade, with a general upward trend until 2017, followed by a decline and subsequent recovery. The peak median income was $53,981 in 2017, dropping to $36,675 in 2019 before rebounding to $42,034 in 2022.
The periods of higher diversity seem to correlate with higher median incomes. The years 2016-2018 saw both increased diversity and higher median incomes. This could suggest that increased diversity might be associated with economic growth in the neighborhood.
The population of Schweiter has fluctuated, peaking at 1,689 in 2016 and dropping to 1,146 in 2022. The decline in population coincides with the period of economic downturn, which could indicate that economic factors may have influenced demographic shifts.
The demographic changes in Schweiter reflect broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban and suburban areas. Many U.S. cities have experienced similar transitions from predominantly white communities to more diverse neighborhoods over the past decade.
The economic fluctuations in Schweiter, particularly the sharp decline in median income from 2017 to 2019, may be related to broader economic trends or local factors affecting Wichita. The subsequent recovery, albeit not to previous peak levels, suggests some resilience in the local economy.
The increasing Asian population in Schweiter (from 5% to 11%) is notable and may be part of a larger trend of Asian immigration or migration to mid-sized American cities, often driven by educational or professional opportunities.
Schweiter exemplifies a neighborhood in transition, moving towards greater diversity while navigating economic challenges. These changes likely reflect both local dynamics and broader national trends in demographics and urban development. The neighborhood's evolution suggests a gradual shift towards a more diverse community, which may bring both opportunities and challenges for local residents and policymakers in the coming years.
