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Demographic Shifts in The Elm Neighborhood: Analysis of Racial Composition from 2013 to 2022
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Elm neighborhood in Wichita, Kansas, transitioned from a Black Majority community to a Majority-Minority community with a Black Plurality between 2013 and 2022. The racial composition in 2022 showed 42% Black, 31% Hispanic, and 18% White residents, with a median income of $30,510. This urban area has experienced significant demographic changes over the past decade.
In 2013, The Elm was categorized as a Black Majority community, with 53% of residents identifying as Black. By 2022, this shifted to a Majority-Minority status with a Black Plurality. The transition is characterized by a decrease in the Black population percentage from 53% to 42% and an increase in the Hispanic population from 18% to 31%. The neighborhood maintained a Moderate Diversity classification throughout the period.
The Asian population showed fluctuations, increasing from 4% in 2013 to 9% in 2020, before declining to 3% in 2022. The median income in The Elm increased from $23,244 in 2013 to $30,510 in 2022, representing a growth of about 31%. The population remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 700-800 residents over this period.
The demographic shifts observed in The Elm align with broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas. Many U.S. cities have experienced growth in Hispanic populations and transitions from single-race majorities to more diverse communities. The increase in median income, while positive, may not have kept pace with national averages or inflation rates, indicating that The Elm remains a lower-income area within the context of Wichita and the broader U.S. economy.
The stability of the White population percentage in The Elm contrasts with some national trends of "White flight" from urban centers. The fluctuations in the Asian population could reflect broader patterns of Asian immigration and settlement in mid-sized American cities.
The Elm neighborhood exemplifies the dynamic nature of urban demographics in the United States. Its evolution from a Black Majority to a Majority-Minority community with increasing Hispanic representation, coupled with moderate economic growth, presents opportunities and challenges for community cohesion and development. Maintaining equitable access to resources and opportunities for all residents will be crucial for The Elm's sustained growth and vitality.
