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Demographic Transition in Peterson Neighborhood: From Hispanic Majority to Moderate Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Peterson neighborhood in Aurora, Colorado, has transitioned from a Hispanic Majority to a Moderate Diversity community between 2013 and 2022. As of 2022, the neighborhood exhibits a Hispanic plurality of 53% and a significant Black population of 47%. This demographic shift occurred over the past decade, with the median income reaching $78,260 in 2022, positioning Peterson as a middle-income suburban community within Aurora.
From 2013 to 2017, Peterson was characterized as a Hispanic Majority community, with the Hispanic population consistently above 50%. The White population during this period was the second-largest group, ranging from 34% to 54%. A significant shift occurred in 2018, marking the beginning of a transition towards Moderate Diversity. The Black population emerged as a significant demographic, rising from 0% to 52% in a single year. This change suggests a possible influx of Black residents or a reclassification of existing residents.
By 2020, the neighborhood had fully transitioned to a Moderate Diversity community, with Black and Hispanic populations both maintaining significant representation. The White population, previously the second-largest group, declined to near-zero levels. The median income in Peterson has shown considerable volatility over the decade. It peaked at $82,291 in 2019, coinciding with the initial shift towards greater racial diversity. However, it subsequently declined to $75,899 in 2020 before stabilizing around $78,000-$80,000 in recent years.
The neighborhood's population has fluctuated significantly, reaching a low of 15 residents in 2016 and peaking at 98 in 2021. These variations suggest either data inconsistencies or rapid changes in housing availability and occupancy. The transition to greater racial diversity coincided with a period of income growth from 2018 to 2019. However, the subsequent stabilization of the racial composition has been accompanied by a slight decline and then stabilization of median income.
The demographic evolution of Peterson reflects broader trends of increasing diversity in suburban areas across the United States. The rapid increase in the Black population from 2018 onward may be part of a larger pattern of African American suburbanization observed in many metropolitan areas. The income levels in Peterson, while fluctuating, have generally remained above the national median household income. This suggests that despite demographic changes, the neighborhood has maintained its middle-income status.
The extreme population fluctuations in Peterson are unusual and may indicate either data collection issues or unique local factors affecting residency patterns. Such dramatic changes are not typical of stable suburban neighborhoods and warrant further investigation. Peterson's transformation from a Hispanic Majority to a Moderate Diversity community over the past decade reflects broader national trends towards increased suburban diversity. While these changes have been accompanied by some economic volatility, the neighborhood has maintained a relatively stable middle-income status. The unusual population fluctuations and rapid demographic shifts suggest a dynamic and potentially transitional period for this Aurora neighborhood, which may continue to evolve in the coming years.
