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Demographic Shifts in Suburan Heights: From Black Plurality to Hispanic-Led Majority-Minority
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Suburan Heights in Fort Wayne, Indiana, presents a demographic landscape as of 2022. The population is 217 with an estimated 83 housing units. This neighborhood is categorized as a "Majority-Minority" community, with Hispanic residents forming a plurality at 47% of the population. The neighborhood's current median income is $22,782. Suburan Heights is one of Fort Wayne's early suburban developments.
Over the past decade, Suburan Heights has undergone demographic transitions. In 2013, the neighborhood had a "Black Plurality" with 44% of the population. By 2016, it shifted to "Moderate Diversity" with balanced representation among Black (31%), Hispanic (27%), and White (31%) residents. Between 2020 and 2022, the community transitioned from "Moderate Diversity" to a "Hispanic Plurality" and finally to a "Majority-Minority" status with Hispanics comprising 47% of the population.
These shifts are driven by an increase in the Hispanic population, a decrease in the Black population (from 40% in 2020 to 18% in 2022), and a decline in the White population (from 23% in 2013 to 7% in 2022). The Asian population has increased from 0% in 2013 to 27% in 2022, contributing to the neighborhood's diversity.
The median income in Suburan Heights has remained stable over the past decade, around $21,000-$22,000. There have been fluctuations correlating with demographic changes. The period of "Moderate Diversity" from 2015 to 2017 saw a slight dip in median income, while the recent shift towards a Hispanic plurality coincides with an increase in median income from $21,420 in 2021 to $22,782 in 2022.
The population of Suburan Heights has declined overall, from 515 in 2010 to 217 in 2022. This population decrease could indicate broader economic or social factors affecting the neighborhood.
The demographic shifts in Suburan Heights reflect broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban areas. The rapid pace of change in this neighborhood is notable. The increase in the Hispanic population and the decrease in the Black population suggest a unique local dynamic.
The median income levels in Suburan Heights ($22,782 in 2022) are below the national median household income ($70,784 in 2021), indicating economic challenges in the area. This economic situation, combined with rapid demographic changes, suggests that Suburan Heights may be experiencing a "Transitional Community" status.
Suburan Heights presents a case study of demographic transformation in a small suburban setting. The neighborhood's evolution from a Black plurality to a Hispanic-led Majority-Minority community, coupled with economic challenges, reflects the interplay of racial, ethnic, and economic factors shaping suburban landscapes. This transition offers insights into neighborhood change dynamics and potential challenges and opportunities in diverse, evolving communities.
