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Demographic Shifts in Walt Whitman Neighborhood: From Black Majority to Increasing Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Walt Whitman neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is characterized as a "Black Majority" community with 67% of its population identifying as Black in 2022. The neighborhood's median income was $38,410 in 2022, placing it in a lower-middle income bracket. Walt Whitman has shown signs of increasing diversity over the past decade, suggesting a potential transition to a new demographic category.
Over the past decade, Walt Whitman has maintained its status as a "Black Majority" neighborhood, but with notable changes. In 2013, the Black population constituted 82% of the community, indicating "Low Diversity." By 2022, this percentage had decreased to 67%, while other racial groups, particularly Hispanic and multiracial populations, increased. This shift suggests a trend towards "Moderate Diversity," though not quite reaching that threshold yet.
The Hispanic population grew from 2% in 2013 to 10% in 2022, and those identifying as two or more races increased from 9% to 14%. This gradual diversification indicates that Walt Whitman may be evolving into a "Transitional Community," with increasing representation from various racial groups.
The median income in Walt Whitman has shown a steady increase over the decade, rising from $28,136 in 2013 to $38,410 in 2022, representing a 36.5% increase. This economic growth coincides with the neighborhood's increasing racial diversity, suggesting a possible correlation between demographic changes and economic improvement.
The population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between about 1,700 and 2,300 residents over the decade. The slight population decline from the peak of 2,281 in 2015 to 1,972 in 2022 might indicate some outmigration, possibly related to the changing demographic makeup.
The trends observed in Walt Whitman align with broader national patterns of increasing diversity in urban neighborhoods. Many cities across the United States have experienced similar transitions, with historically Black neighborhoods seeing an influx of Hispanic and multiracial residents. This often corresponds with economic changes, as seen in Walt Whitman's rising median income.
The persistence of a strong Black majority in Walt Whitman, even as diversity increases, is noteworthy. It suggests that while the neighborhood is changing, it's maintaining a significant part of its historical demographic character. This contrasts with some urban areas that have undergone more dramatic demographic shifts due to gentrification or rapid development.
The economic growth in Walt Whitman, while positive, still places the neighborhood below the national median household income ($70,784 in 2021). This indicates that while progress has been made, there's still room for economic development to bring the community closer to national averages.
Walt Whitman presents a case of gradual, steady demographic and economic change. It's transitioning from a low-diversity, predominantly Black neighborhood to a more diverse community, while simultaneously experiencing modest economic growth. This evolution reflects broader urban trends but occurs at a pace that may allow for more organic community adaptation compared to rapidly gentrifying areas in other parts of the country.
