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Demographic Transition in Brooks Run: From Low to Moderate Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Brooks Run, a neighborhood in Des Moines, Iowa, exhibits characteristics of Low Diversity with a White Majority, as 82% of its population identifies as white in 2022. The neighborhood has experienced population growth over the past decade, increasing from 3,240 residents in 2010 to 4,209 in 2022. Economically, the area has seen fluctuations in median income, with a decline in recent years. Brooks Run is known for its suburban character and proximity to the Des Moines River.
Over the past decade, Brooks Run has maintained its status as a White Majority community, but with a gradual trend towards increased diversity. In 2013, the neighborhood exhibited extremely Low Diversity, with 93% of the population identifying as white. By 2022, this percentage decreased to 82%, indicating a slow but steady shift towards Moderate Diversity.
The most significant changes occurred between 2015 and 2020. The Black population increased from 2% in 2015 to 11% in 2020, before settling at 5% in 2022. The Hispanic population grew from 3% in 2013 to 10% in 2022. The Asian population remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 1-4% throughout the decade. These changes suggest that Brooks Run is slowly transitioning from a Low Diversity to a Moderate Diversity community, though it has not yet reached that threshold.
The neighborhood's economic trajectory shows a correlation with its demographic shifts. Median income peaked in 2015 at $80,837, coinciding with the period of lowest diversity. As diversity increased, there was a general downward trend in median income, reaching $62,536 in 2022. The population grew steadily throughout this period, potentially indicating that the neighborhood became more accessible to a wider range of income levels and demographics.
The decline in median income coupled with increased diversity might suggest that the neighborhood is becoming more accessible to a broader range of socioeconomic groups, potentially due to changes in housing affordability or local economic factors.
The gradual diversification of Brooks Run aligns with broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban areas. However, the pace of change in Brooks Run appears to be slower than national averages. The decrease in median income, while significant, is not uncommon in areas experiencing rapid population growth and demographic shifts.
The neighborhood's proximity to Des Moines, a major urban center in Iowa, likely contributes to its changing demographics as the city itself becomes more diverse. However, Brooks Run remains significantly less diverse than many urban neighborhoods across the United States, reflecting Iowa's overall demographic composition, which is predominantly white.
Brooks Run is in the early stages of a demographic transition, moving slowly from Low Diversity to potentially Moderate Diversity. This shift is accompanied by economic changes that may be reshaping the neighborhood's character and accessibility. As this trend continues, it will be important to monitor how these changes affect community dynamics, local services, and housing markets in the coming years.
