Loading Content...
Historic Old Southwest: Low Diversity and White Majority in Columbia, Missouri
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Historic Old Southwest neighborhood in Columbia, Missouri, exhibits a low diversity demographic profile with a white majority of 94% as of 2022. The neighborhood has a median income of $114,803, which is above the national average. Historic Old Southwest is known for its late 19th and early 20th-century architecture.
Throughout the decade, Historic Old Southwest has maintained its status as a low diversity area with a strong white majority. The neighborhood has shown minimal racial diversification, with the white population consistently comprising over 90% of residents. The Asian population fluctuated between 1-5% over the decade, peaking at 5% in 2014. The "Two or More Races" category emerged in recent years, growing from 0% in 2018 to 3% by 2022. A small Hispanic population (1%) appeared in 2022.
The median income in Historic Old Southwest has shown an upward trend over the decade. Median income rose from $96,073 in 2013 to $114,803 in 2022, an increase of about 19.5%. The highest median income was recorded in 2021 at $128,700. The population peaked in 2016 at 1,258 residents, corresponding with a significant increase in median income to $110,619.
The stable, high-income nature of the neighborhood appears to have maintained its demographic homogeneity, possibly due to high property values and limited affordable housing options for more diverse populations.
Historic Old Southwest has remained relatively unchanged in its racial composition, contrasting with national trends of growing minority populations in metropolitan areas. The median income growth in Historic Old Southwest outpaces the national average. This economic strength may contribute to the area's stability and lack of demographic change, as high housing costs can create barriers to entry for more diverse populations.
The slight increase in multi-racial residents and the emergence of a small Hispanic population in recent years might indicate the beginning of a slow diversification process. However, the pace of change in Historic Old Southwest appears to be slower than in many comparable neighborhoods across the country.
In conclusion, while Historic Old Southwest shows signs of potential transition, its economic position and historical character have largely preserved its demographic makeup over the past decade, differing from national trends towards rapid diversification in urban neighborhoods.
