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Demographic Transformation in Garton West: From White Majority to Hispanic Plurality
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Garton West, a neighborhood in Des Moines, Iowa, has undergone significant demographic changes from 2013 to 2022. The area transitioned from a predominantly White community to one with a Hispanic plurality and moderate diversity. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a population of 172 and a median income of $66,848.
In 2013, Garton West was categorized as Low Diversity, with a White Majority comprising 86% of the population. By 2017, the neighborhood had shifted to a Moderate Diversity category, with White (57%), Black (11%), and Hispanic (9%) communities represented. The most significant change occurred between 2019 and 2022, resulting in the current Hispanic Plurality, with Hispanics comprising 46% of the population and Whites 40%.
The demographic changes in Garton West coincided with fluctuations in median income. From 2013 to 2016, the median income remained relatively stable, ranging from $37,947 to $39,831. As the community diversified, there was a significant increase in median income, rising from $43,123 in 2017 to $65,332 in 2018. The median income peaked at $103,114 in 2021 but decreased to $66,848 in 2022.
The population of Garton West has shown a general downward trend, decreasing from 278 in 2010 to 172 in 2022. This population decline, combined with significant demographic changes, indicates a period of transition in the neighborhood's composition and character.
The demographic shifts observed in Garton West are consistent with broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas. Many U.S. cities have experienced similar transitions from predominantly White communities to more diverse neighborhoods, often driven by factors such as immigration, changing housing preferences, and economic opportunities.
The economic fluctuations in Garton West, particularly the sharp increase in median income from 2017 to 2021, may indicate gentrification processes or targeted economic development initiatives. However, the recent decline in median income suggests that the neighborhood is still adjusting to its new demographic makeup.
Garton West exemplifies a Transitional Community, having evolved from a Low Diversity, White Majority area to a Hispanic Plurality neighborhood with Moderate Diversity over the past decade. These changes have been accompanied by significant economic fluctuations, highlighting the complex interplay between demographic shifts and economic trends in urban neighborhoods.
