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Gray's Lake Neighborhood: A Study of Racial Demographics and Low Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Gray's Lake, a neighborhood in Des Moines, Iowa, exhibits characteristics of Low Diversity with a White Majority. In 2022, 88% of the population identifies as white. The median income of $72,628 in 2022 suggests a relatively affluent community. Gray's Lake is known for its namesake park, which offers recreational activities and has likely influenced the neighborhood's development and appeal.
Over the past decade, Gray's Lake has consistently maintained its status as a White Majority community, with the percentage of white residents never dropping below 79%. The Hispanic population has shown a steady increase from 6% in 2013 to 11% in 2022, indicating a Transitional Community trend. While remaining small, the Black and Asian populations have fluctuated, occasionally reaching 2-3% before declining again. Despite these changes, the neighborhood has remained in the Low Diversity category throughout the decade, with the white population consistently above 75%.
The median income in Gray's Lake has shown a significant upward trend. From $56,740 in 2013 to $72,628 in 2022, representing a 28% increase over nine years. The gradual increase in Hispanic population coincides with the rise in median income, suggesting that the neighborhood's growing diversity may be linked to its economic prosperity. Despite income growth, the population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 4,669 and 5,020 residents. This suggests that the neighborhood may have physical or zoning constraints limiting rapid growth.
The 28% income growth in Gray's Lake over nine years outpaces typical national wage growth rates, indicating a rapidly appreciating neighborhood. The slow but steady increase in Hispanic population aligns with broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban and urban neighborhoods. The consistent income growth through various national economic events suggests a resilient local economy.
Gray's Lake presents a case of a predominantly white, affluent neighborhood experiencing gradual diversification, primarily through growth in its Hispanic population. This demographic shift, coupled with significant income growth, suggests a neighborhood in transition, albeit at a slow pace. The stability in overall population numbers, combined with rising incomes, may indicate a process of gentrification or increasing property values, potentially affecting the neighborhood's accessibility to a broader range of income groups. As Gray's Lake continues to evolve, it will be crucial to monitor how these demographic and economic trends impact community dynamics, housing affordability, and local services.
