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Demographic Shifts in Southwood Park: Analysis of Racial Composition
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Southwood Park, a neighborhood in Fort Wayne, Indiana, exhibits demographic characteristics of a predominantly White Majority community with indications of increasing diversity. As of 2022, the neighborhood population stands at 1,851 with a median income of $62,776. The white population comprises 74% of the total in 2022, showing a decline from previous years. The area has experienced a gradual trend towards increased diversity over the past decade, notably with growth in the Hispanic population and individuals identifying as two or more races.
From 2013 to 2022, Southwood Park has maintained its status as a White Majority community, but demonstrates signs of a Transitional Community trend. The white population decreased from 95% in 2013 to 74% in 2022. The Hispanic population grew from 4% in 2013 to a peak of 13% in 2019, before declining to 3% in 2022. The most significant change occurred in the "two or more races" category, increasing from 0% in 2013 to 20% in 2022. These shifts suggest a move towards Moderate Diversity, although the community has not yet reached that threshold according to defined categories.
The median income in Southwood Park has fluctuated over the past decade. It peaked at $71,141 in 2013, coinciding with the highest percentage of white residents. The income dropped to its lowest point of $60,625 in 2018, as diversity began to increase. There was a significant increase to $75,592 in 2021, followed by a decrease to $62,776 in 2022. The correlation between demographic shifts and economic trends is not straightforward. While there was an initial decline in median income as diversity increased, the recent income spike in 2021 occurred amidst continued diversification.
The demographic shifts in Southwood Park reflect broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban areas. However, the neighborhood's changes are more pronounced than national averages. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that the percentage of people identifying as "two or more races" increased from 2.9% in 2010 to 10.2% in 2020 nationally. In Southwood Park, this increase was from 0% to 19% in the same period, a more dramatic shift.
The economic fluctuations in Southwood Park diverge from national trends. While the U.S. saw generally steady income growth from 2013 to 2019, Southwood Park experienced more volatility. This suggests that local factors, possibly related to the changing demographics or specific to Fort Wayne's economy, may be influencing income levels more than national economic trends.
Southwood Park is undergoing a significant demographic transition, moving from a highly homogeneous White Majority community towards increased diversity. This shift, particularly prominent in the growth of multiracial residents, is occurring at a faster rate than national averages. The economic impacts of these changes are complex and not uniformly correlated with the demographic shifts, indicating that multiple factors are influencing the neighborhood's socio-economic landscape.
