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Demographic Trends in Oakwood East: A Study of Racial Composition and Economic Changes
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Oakwood East, a neighborhood in Midwest City, Oklahoma, is characterized as a White Majority community with Moderate Diversity as of 2022. The white population constitutes 65% of the neighborhood, with Black residents comprising 14% and multiracial residents 11%. The median income in 2022 was $73,969, indicating a relatively affluent area. The neighborhood has experienced an increase in population density, with the number of residents growing from 2,413 in 2020 to 2,760 in 2022.
Over the past decade, Oakwood East has transitioned from a Low Diversity community to one of Moderate Diversity. In 2013, the neighborhood was 73% white, decreasing to 65% by 2022. Other racial groups, particularly Black and multiracial populations, saw increases during this period. The Black population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 12-15% over the decade. The multiracial category grew from 8% in 2013 to 11% in 2022, indicating a trend towards increased diversity.
The Hispanic population has shown consistent growth from 2% in 2013 to 6% in 2022, further contributing to the neighborhood's increasing diversity. The median income in Oakwood East has experienced fluctuations over the past decade, peaking at $84,278 in 2015 and subsequently decreasing to $73,969 in 2022, representing a 12% decline from the peak. This economic shift coincides with the increasing diversity of the neighborhood.
The population growth from 2,376 in 2013 to 2,760 in 2022 suggests that despite the slight decline in median income, the neighborhood remains attractive to new residents. This could indicate that the area offers other quality-of-life factors that outweigh the minor economic downturn.
The demographic shifts observed in Oakwood East align with broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban areas. Many U.S. suburbs have been experiencing similar transitions from predominantly white communities to more diverse neighborhoods over the past few decades.
The economic fluctuations, particularly the slight downturn in median income, may reflect broader economic challenges faced by many middle-class communities across the United States. However, the continued population growth suggests that Oakwood East remains resilient and attractive to new residents despite these challenges.
Oakwood East represents a community in transition, moving towards greater racial diversity while maintaining its status as a relatively affluent neighborhood. The interplay between demographic shifts and economic trends presents a case study of suburban evolution in the contemporary United States.
