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Demographic Transition in Portage Park: From White Majority to Hispanic Plurality
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Portage Park, a neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois, currently exhibits Moderate Diversity with a Hispanic Plurality. As of 2022, the neighborhood's population is 42,827, with a median income of $77,736. Portage Park is known for its historic Six Corners Shopping District, which has undergone changes paralleling the neighborhood's demographic shifts.
Over the past decade, Portage Park has transitioned from a White Majority community to one of Moderate Diversity with a Hispanic Plurality. In 2013, the neighborhood was categorized as White Majority, with 49% of the population identifying as white and 45% as Hispanic. By 2022, this dynamic had shifted, with the Hispanic population growing to 47% and the white population decreasing to 43%. This change reflects a Transitional Community trend, particularly evident in the consistent growth of the Hispanic population.
The Asian population has increased from 3% in 2013 to 5% in 2022, contributing to the neighborhood's increasing diversity. The Black population has grown from less than 1% to 2% over the same period. These changes collectively pushed Portage Park from a White Majority to a Moderate Diversity classification, with two significant racial groups (Hispanic and White) and growing representation from others.
The demographic shifts in Portage Park correlate with economic changes. The median income has increased from $64,864 in 2013 to $77,736 in 2022, representing a 19.8% growth over the decade. This economic improvement coincides with the neighborhood's transition to greater diversity, suggesting that the influx of new residents, particularly from the Hispanic community, may have contributed to economic vitality.
The population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 42,000 and 45,000 throughout the decade. This stability, combined with rising incomes, indicates that the demographic changes are more likely due to shifting residential patterns within the existing population and new residents replacing those who have left, rather than a significant influx of new residents.
The demographic shifts observed in Portage Park align with trends seen in many urban areas across the United States, where traditionally white-majority neighborhoods are becoming more diverse, often led by growth in Hispanic populations. This trend is pronounced in Chicago, which has seen significant growth in its Hispanic population citywide over the past few decades.
The economic growth in Portage Park, as evidenced by the rising median income, outpaces the national average. While the U.S. median household income grew by about 10% between 2013 and 2022 (adjusting for inflation), Portage Park's 19.8% growth suggests a more robust local economic trajectory.
Portage Park's evolution from a White Majority to a Moderate Diversity community with a Hispanic Plurality reflects broader urban demographic trends. The neighborhood's economic growth, outpacing national averages, suggests that this demographic shift has coincided with, and possibly contributed to, positive economic developments.
