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Demographic Shifts in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin: Increasing Racial Diversity from 2013 to 2022
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, a growing suburban city, has experienced significant demographic and economic changes over the past decade. As of 2022, the city is categorized as having a "White Majority" with 76% of the population identifying as white. The city is showing signs of increasing diversity and could be considered a "Transitional Community" based on the gradual shift in racial composition over the years.
Sun Prairie has been transitioning from a "Low Diversity" community in 2013, with 86% of the population identifying as white, to a more diverse community by 2022. While still maintaining a "White Majority," the city has seen steady increases in its Asian, Black, and Hispanic populations. The percentage of residents identifying as two or more races has also grown, indicating a trend towards greater diversity.
The most notable shifts include an increase in the Black population from 3% in 2013 to 8% in 2022, growth in the Asian population from 3% in 2013 to 7% in 2022, and the Hispanic population rising from 2% to 5% over the same period. These changes suggest that Sun Prairie is moving towards a "Moderate Diversity" classification, though it has not yet reached that threshold.
Alongside demographic changes, Sun Prairie has experienced overall economic growth. The median income has risen from $77,816 in 2013 to $83,975 in 2022, an increase of about 7.9%. This growth in median income coincides with a significant population increase from 34,329 in 2013 to 42,849 in 2022, representing a 24.8% growth over the decade.
The correlation between increasing diversity and rising median income suggests that the city's economic growth may be attracting a more diverse population, possibly due to job opportunities or an improving quality of life that appeals to a broader range of residents.
Sun Prairie's demographic shifts align with broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban areas. The city's growth rate and increasing median income also suggest it may be outperforming national averages in terms of economic development.
Based on the observed trends, Sun Prairie is likely to continue its trajectory towards greater diversity. If current trends persist, the city could transition from a "White Majority" to a "Moderate Diversity" classification within the next 5-10 years. The Asian and Black populations, in particular, show the most rapid growth and could become more significant minority groups.
Economically, the steady increase in median income and population growth suggests that Sun Prairie will likely continue to attract new residents and businesses. This could further accelerate the diversification process and potentially lead to a "High Diversity" classification in the longer term.
It will be important to monitor how this growth and diversification affect housing affordability, community integration, and local services to ensure that the benefits of these changes are equitably distributed among all residents.
