Loading Content...
University North, Fort Collins: A Study of Racial Demographics in a College Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
University North, located in Fort Collins, Colorado, is a neighborhood with Low Diversity. As of 2022, the white majority constitutes 73% of the population. The area's median income in 2022 is $11,135, which is low. This is likely due to its proximity to a university, suggesting a high student population. The neighborhood's status as university-adjacent significantly influences its demographic and economic profile.
Over the past decade, University North has transitioned from Very Low Diversity to Low Diversity. In 2013, the neighborhood was 87% white, categorizing it as Low Diversity. By 2022, while maintaining a white majority of 73%, the community experienced an increase in its Hispanic population from 6% to 16%, and modest increases in other racial groups.
This shift indicates a Transitional Community, trending towards increasing diversity. The Hispanic population has shown the most significant growth, nearly tripling its representation over the decade. The Asian population has doubled from 2% to 4%, while the Black population increased from 3% in 2013 to 4% in 2022.
The median income in University North has fluctuated but remained low, characteristic of areas with high student populations. It increased from $11,581 in 2013 to $13,576 in 2016, then declined to $11,135 in 2022. This stagnation in median income, despite increasing diversity, suggests the area's economic status remains tied to its student-centric nature rather than demographic changes.
The population grew modestly from 4,314 in 2013 to 4,365 in 2022, indicating a stable community size. This stability, combined with increasing diversity, suggests the neighborhood is attracting a more varied student and resident population over time, without significant expansion.
The trends in University North align with broader national patterns of increasing diversity in urban and university-adjacent areas. Many college towns have seen similar shifts towards greater racial and ethnic diversity over the past decade. The persistent low median income is characteristic of neighborhoods dominated by student populations, distinguishing it from general urban demographic trends.
The gradual diversification, particularly the growth in the Hispanic population, reflects wider demographic shifts in Colorado and the Western United States. However, the pace of change in University North appears more gradual than in some rapidly diversifying urban areas, possibly due to its specific character as a university-adjacent neighborhood with a relatively stable population size.
University North remains a predominantly white, low-diversity area, but shows clear signs of a transitional phase towards greater diversity. This change has not significantly altered its economic profile, which remains closely tied to its identity as a university neighborhood. The community's evolution offers a case study in how university-adjacent areas adapt to broader demographic trends while maintaining their distinct economic characteristics.
