Demographic Shifts in Streeterville: White Majority with Increasing Asian and Hispanic Populations
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
DATA SOURCE
Streeterville, a neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois, currently exhibits a White Majority demographic composition with a high median income. As of 2022, the neighborhood is characterized by Moderate Diversity, with significant Asian and Hispanic populations alongside the White majority. Streeterville is known for its prime location along Lake Michigan, home to prestigious institutions like Northwestern University's downtown campus and high-end shopping along the Magnificent Mile.
Over the past decade, Streeterville has undergone a notable demographic transition. In 2013, the neighborhood was categorized as Low Diversity, with the White population comprising 73% of residents. However, by 2022, this had shifted to a Moderate Diversity classification, with the White population decreasing to 62% and Asian and Hispanic populations growing significantly.
The most striking change has been the increase in the Asian population, rising from 16% in 2013 to 25% in 2022. This trend suggests a Transitional Community, with a clear movement towards greater diversity. The Hispanic population has also seen growth, doubling from 4% to 7% over the same period.
Alongside these demographic shifts, Streeterville has maintained its status as a high-income area. The median income has risen from $103,721 in 2013 to $114,358 in 2022, an increase of about 10%. This economic growth has coincided with the increasing diversity, suggesting that the neighborhood has attracted affluent residents from various racial backgrounds.
The population has also grown steadily, from 21,418 in 2013 to 26,397 in 2022, an increase of about 23%. This population growth, coupled with rising incomes and increasing diversity, indicates that Streeterville has become an increasingly attractive location for a diverse range of high-income professionals.
Streeterville's demographic shifts reflect broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States, where increased diversity is often accompanied by economic growth. However, the neighborhood's particularly high median income sets it apart from many other diversifying areas, which often see more mixed economic outcomes.
The growth in the Asian population in Streeterville is notably higher than the national trend. While the Asian population in the U.S. has been growing, Streeterville's increase from 16% to 25% over a decade is significantly above the national average.
The maintenance of high median incomes alongside increasing diversity is also noteworthy. In many urban areas, rapid demographic changes can sometimes lead to economic instability, but Streeterville appears to have managed this transition while maintaining its economic status.
Streeterville presents a case of a high-income urban neighborhood transitioning from Low Diversity to Moderate Diversity over a decade. This shift, primarily driven by growth in Asian and Hispanic populations, has occurred alongside continued economic prosperity, suggesting a model of inclusive growth that could be of interest to urban planners and policymakers in other cities.
