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Racial Homogeneity and Economic Trends in Westchester Ridge, Fort Wayne
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Westchester Ridge, a neighborhood in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is categorized as a "Low Diversity" community. As of 2022, the neighborhood's population is 94% white, with a median income of $88,101. The area is known for its well-maintained parks and green spaces.
Over the past decade, Westchester Ridge has consistently remained in the "Low Diversity" category. In 2013, the neighborhood displayed slightly more diversity, with a 72% white population. From 2014 to 2022, there was a trend towards increasing racial homogeneity. The white population percentage steadily increased, reaching 95% by 2019 and maintaining at 94% through 2022.
The demographic shifts correlate with economic changes. As the community became less diverse from 2013 to 2019, median income rose from $72,911 to $96,522, a 32% increase. In 2020, median income declined to $88,101, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. This level has been maintained through 2022.
The population of the neighborhood has fluctuated, decreasing from 326 in 2010 to a low of 223 in 2017, before rising again to 272 in 2022. This trend suggests a period of outmigration followed by renewed interest in the area.
The trends in Westchester Ridge reflect broader national patterns in some ways while diverging in others. The increasing racial homogeneity contrasts with the national trend of growing diversity in many urban and suburban areas. The significant income growth from 2013 to 2019 aligns with the economic recovery and expansion following the 2008 financial crisis. The sharp income decline in 2020 mirrors the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic seen across the country.
Westchester Ridge has evolved over the past decade into a more racially homogeneous, affluent community. This transformation has coincided with significant economic growth for the area. The neighborhood's ability to maintain its high median income and attract new residents even through the pandemic suggests a resilient local economy and continued appeal to its target demographic.
