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Demographic Transition in Lower Beaver: From White Majority to Moderate Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Lower Beaver, a neighborhood in Des Moines, Iowa, exhibits a demographic profile characterized as a Transitional Community with Moderate Diversity. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a population of 6,935 and a median income of $67,720. Lower Beaver has experienced a rapid shift from a predominantly white community to one with a growing Asian population, indicating a changing cultural landscape.
Over the past decade, Lower Beaver has undergone significant demographic changes. In 2013, the neighborhood was classified as having Low Diversity, with a White Majority (75% of the population). By 2022, the community had transitioned to Moderate Diversity, with the white population decreasing to 59% and the Asian population increasing from 3% to 22%. This shift represents an example of a Transitional Community, with the Asian population showing the most substantial growth. The Hispanic population has also increased from 6% to 9% over the same period.
Alongside these demographic shifts, Lower Beaver has experienced fluctuations in its median income. From 2013 to 2022, the median income increased from $62,865 to $67,720, representing a growth of about 7.7%. The periods of highest median income (2019-2021) coincide with the years of greatest demographic change, particularly the increase in the Asian population. This could suggest that the influx of Asian residents may be correlated with higher-income professionals moving into the area.
The population has grown from 6,081 in 2013 to 6,935 in 2022, an increase of about 14%. This population growth, combined with the demographic shifts and income changes, indicates a neighborhood in transition, likely experiencing changes in its housing market, local businesses, and community services to accommodate its evolving population.
The demographic shifts observed in Lower Beaver align with broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban and urban neighborhoods. The growth of the Asian population reflects a pattern seen in many U.S. cities, often associated with tech industry growth or educational opportunities. The median income growth in Lower Beaver has outpaced inflation over the same period, suggesting a general improvement in economic conditions.
Lower Beaver exemplifies a neighborhood in transition, moving from a homogeneous, predominantly white community to one with increasing racial and ethnic diversity. These changes, coupled with modest economic growth, suggest a dynamic period of change for the neighborhood, likely bringing both opportunities and challenges as the community adapts to its evolving demographic landscape.
