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Demographic Shifts in Texa Tonka: A Study of Racial Composition from 2013 to 2022
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Texa Tonka, a neighborhood in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, has experienced demographic changes from 2013 to 2022. The neighborhood's population in 2022 was 1,612 with a median income of $57,870. Texa Tonka's name is believed to combine "Texas" and "Tonka," potentially reflecting Southern and Native American influences in its history.
Texa Tonka has undergone notable demographic shifts over the past decade. In 2013, it was a White Majority community with 63% white population. From 2014 to 2015, it briefly transitioned to Moderate Diversity status, with the white population decreasing to 49-53% and the Black population increasing to 26%. From 2016 to 2022, the neighborhood returned to White Majority status, but with increased diversity compared to 2013.
The Black population in Texa Tonka has shown significant fluctuations, reaching a peak of 29% in 2018 before decreasing to 13% in 2022. The Asian population has gradually increased from 3% in 2013 to 6% in 2022, with a peak of 12% in 2020. The Hispanic population has remained relatively stable, ranging between 3-9% throughout the decade. These changes suggest that Texa Tonka could be categorized as a Transitional Community, particularly considering the increasing representation of Asian and multiracial residents over the years.
The median income in Texa Tonka has shown an overall upward trend, increasing from $48,093 in 2013 to $57,870 in 2022, with some fluctuations. A significant increase in median income occurred from $43,237 in 2015 to $58,420 in 2016, coinciding with a period of demographic change.
The population of Texa Tonka has remained relatively stable over the decade, fluctuating between approximately 1,500 and 1,800 residents. This population stability, combined with increasing diversity and rising median income, suggests a gradual gentrification process or an influx of more affluent diverse residents.
The demographic changes in Texa Tonka reflect broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban areas. The growth in Asian and multiracial populations aligns with national patterns, while the fluctuations in the Black population may be unique to this neighborhood or reflect regional migration patterns within the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area.
The increase in median income, rising by about 20% over the decade, outpaces the national average income growth for the same period, suggesting that Texa Tonka may be becoming a more desirable location within the St. Louis Park area.
Texa Tonka represents a microcosm of America's evolving suburban landscape, characterized by increasing racial diversity and economic growth. The neighborhood's transition from a more homogeneous White Majority community to one with Moderate Diversity, while maintaining a White Majority status, illustrates the complex demographic shifts occurring in many American suburbs. These changes, coupled with rising incomes, suggest a neighborhood in transition, potentially attracting a more diverse, affluent population while retaining some of its original character.
