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Demographic Transition and Racial Composition in Whitehills Neighborhood, East Lansing
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Whitehills neighborhood in East Lansing, Michigan, has transitioned from a White Majority area to a community with Moderate Diversity. As of 2022, the white population comprises 66% of residents, with Asian, Black, and multiracial groups each representing 10% of the population. The neighborhood has experienced economic growth, with the median income increasing from $69,261 in 2013 to $86,861 in 2022. Whitehills' proximity to Michigan State University likely influences its demographic composition and economic trends.
Over the past decade, Whitehills has transformed from a Low Diversity community to one of Moderate Diversity. In 2013, the neighborhood had a White Majority at 78% of the population, which decreased to 66% by 2022. This shift has been accompanied by increases in other racial groups, particularly Asian and multiracial populations. The community has shown signs of being a Transitional Community, especially from 2018 onwards. The Asian population grew from 4% in 2013 to 13% in 2020 before decreasing to 10% in 2022. The multiracial population increased from 4% in 2013 to 10% in 2022.
The demographic shifts in Whitehills have coincided with economic growth. The median income rose from $69,261 in 2013 to $86,861 in 2022, an increase of about 25% over nine years. This economic improvement may have both influenced and been influenced by the changing racial composition of the neighborhood. The increasing diversity, particularly the growth in Asian and multiracial populations, correlates with the rising median income. This could suggest that the neighborhood is attracting more diverse, highly educated professionals, possibly connected to the university or emerging industries in the area.
The population of Whitehills has fluctuated, reaching a peak of 7,860 in 2020 before slightly declining to 7,850 in 2022. This stability in population alongside increasing diversity and rising incomes may indicate a process of gradual replacement rather than rapid expansion.
The trends observed in Whitehills align with broader national patterns of increasing diversity in suburban and college-adjacent communities. Many university towns across the United States have experienced similar demographic shifts, often driven by international students and faculty, as well as an influx of diverse professionals attracted to academic and research opportunities.
The economic growth in Whitehills outpaces the national average, which saw median household incomes rise from about $53,000 in 2013 to around $70,000 in 2022. This suggests that Whitehills is not only becoming more diverse but also more affluent relative to national trends.
The transition from a predominantly white community to one of moderate diversity reflects larger societal shifts towards multiculturalism, particularly in educational hubs. However, the retention of a white majority, albeit a diminishing one, indicates that this transition is gradual and may continue to evolve in the coming years.
Whitehills exemplifies a community in transition, moving from low to moderate diversity while experiencing significant economic growth. These changes likely reflect and contribute to the evolving character of East Lansing as a whole, shaped by its proximity to Michigan State University and broader demographic trends in American society.
