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Demographic Shifts in Walnut Heights: From Low Diversity to White Majority
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Walnut Heights, a neighborhood in East Lansing, Michigan, has experienced significant demographic changes over the past decade. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a population of 1,267 and a median income of $53,896. Its proximity to Michigan State University likely influences its demographic composition and economic dynamics.
In 2013, Walnut Heights was categorized as Low Diversity, with a white population of 86%. By 2019, it had transitioned to a Moderate Diversity classification, with the white population decreasing to 69% and increases in Black and Hispanic populations. The most recent data from 2022 shows a slight reversal, with the white population increasing to 79%, returning the neighborhood to a White Majority status. However, the Black population has continued to grow, reaching 15% in 2022.
The demographic shifts in Walnut Heights correlate with fluctuations in median income. From 2013 to 2019, as diversity increased, the median income rose from $31,052 to $55,472. However, the years 2020-2022 saw economic volatility, with the median income dropping to $43,022 in 2021 before rebounding to $53,896 in 2022.
The demographic changes in Walnut Heights reflect broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban and suburban areas. The recent slight reversal towards a stronger white majority may be influenced by local factors such as university policies or regional economic shifts.
The neighborhood's proximity to Michigan State University likely plays a significant role in its demographic and economic patterns. University towns often experience more rapid demographic changes and economic fluctuations due to the transient nature of student populations and the influence of academic job markets.
Walnut Heights has evolved from a Low Diversity to a Moderate Diversity community over the past decade, with recent trends indicating a complex interplay between increasing diversity and economic fluctuations. The neighborhood's position near a major university adds complexity to these demographic and economic shifts, potentially making it representative of broader societal changes in university-adjacent communities.
