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Demographic Transition in Lakeview Heights: A Study of Racial Composition and Economic Status
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Lakeview Heights, a neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is characterized as a Majority-Minority community with moderate diversity as of 2022. The racial composition consists of 28% Black residents, 25% Hispanic residents, and 36% White residents. The neighborhood's median income in 2022 is $15,729, indicating significant economic challenges. Lakeview Heights is located near Tulsa's Mohawk Park, which includes the Tulsa Zoo.
Over the past decade, Lakeview Heights has transitioned from a Black Plurality community to a Majority-Minority area. In 2013, the neighborhood had a Black Plurality of 40%, with White residents at 28%. By 2022, the racial distribution had become more balanced, with Hispanic residents showing substantial growth from 11% in 2013 to 25% in 2022. This demographic shift can be classified as a Transitional Community.
The median income in Lakeview Heights has increased from $12,453 in 2013 to $15,729 in 2022, representing a 26% rise. Despite this increase, the neighborhood remains in a low-income bracket. The income growth coincides with increasing diversity, suggesting that new residents, particularly Hispanic families, may be contributing to a slight economic improvement.
The demographic changes in Lakeview Heights reflect broader trends observed in many urban areas across the United States, where traditionally Black neighborhoods are experiencing an influx of Hispanic residents and, to a lesser extent, a return of White residents. This pattern of increasing diversity is often associated with the early stages of gentrification, though the persistently low median income suggests that Lakeview Heights is not yet experiencing significant economic transformation.
Compared to national trends, the neighborhood's racial diversity is increasing at a faster rate than the national average. The economic situation in Lakeview Heights, with its very low median income, places it well below the national median household income, which was approximately $70,000 in 2021. This difference underscores the significant economic challenges faced by residents of this Tulsa neighborhood, even as it becomes more diverse.
Lakeview Heights is undergoing a significant demographic transition, evolving into a more diverse, Majority-Minority community. This shift is accompanied by a modest increase in median income, but the neighborhood continues to face substantial economic challenges. These changes reflect broader urban demographic trends but occur against a backdrop of persistent economic struggle, creating a unique community dynamic in this Tulsa neighborhood.
