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Demographic Shifts in South City Community, Wichita: From White Majority to Hispanic Plurality
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
South City Community in Wichita, Kansas, has transitioned from a White Majority area to a Majority-Minority neighborhood with a Hispanic plurality from 2013 to 2022. The neighborhood currently exhibits moderate diversity with a median income of $38,433. This transformation reflects broader changes observed in mid-sized American cities.
The demographic composition of South City Community has undergone significant changes over the past decade. In 2013, the area was classified as White Majority, with 51% of the population identifying as white. By 2017, it had become a White Plurality area, and by 2020, it had transitioned to a Majority-Minority community. This shift was primarily driven by an increase in the Hispanic population, which grew from 26% in 2013 to 34% in 2022, while the white population decreased from 51% to 45% during the same period.
The neighborhood has experienced an increase in residents identifying as two or more races, rising from 5% in 2013 to 8% in 2022, indicating a trend towards greater racial diversity. The Black population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 7-13% over the decade.
The demographic shifts in South City Community have been accompanied by fluctuations in median income. From 2013 to 2019, there was a general upward trend in median income, increasing from $31,615 to $39,730. However, this trend reversed in recent years, with the median income dropping to $37,142 in 2021 before slightly recovering to $38,433 in 2022.
The period of increasing Hispanic population and transition to a Majority-Minority community coincided with the initial rise in median income. This suggests that the influx of new residents may have brought economic opportunities or reflected broader economic improvements in the area. The recent decrease in median income could indicate economic challenges affecting the community.
The population of South City Community has fluctuated over the decade, peaking at 10,259 in 2014 and declining to 8,933 by 2022. This population decrease, coupled with the changing racial demographics, suggests a complex interplay of factors influencing neighborhood dynamics.
The demographic shifts observed in South City Community mirror broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States. The increase in Hispanic population and the transition to a Majority-Minority community reflect national trends of growing diversity in American cities. The growth in multiracial identification aligns with national census data showing an increase in people identifying with two or more races.
The economic fluctuations, particularly the recent decrease in median income, may reflect broader economic challenges faced by many communities. However, the specific patterns in South City Community, such as the initial rise in income coinciding with demographic shifts, suggest local factors at play that may differ from national averages.
South City Community has undergone a significant transformation over the past decade, evolving from a White Majority area to a diverse, Majority-Minority neighborhood with a strong Hispanic presence. These changes reflect broader national trends towards increased diversity but also highlight the unique local factors shaping this Wichita community. The economic implications of these shifts are complex and warrant continued observation and analysis in the coming years.
