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University Village - Little Italy: Racial Composition and Economic Trends 2013-2022
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
University Village - Little Italy in Chicago, Illinois, presents as a neighborhood with Moderate Diversity, characterized by a balanced mix of racial groups. As of 2022, the area has a population of 15,790 with a median income of $69,502. This neighborhood is known for its historical Italian-American heritage and proximity to the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Over the past decade, University Village - Little Italy has undergone a transformation in its racial composition. In 2013, the neighborhood had Moderate Diversity, with whites forming a plurality at 38% of the population. By 2022, the area maintained its Moderate Diversity status, but with a more balanced distribution among racial groups.
The most notable shifts include a decrease in the white population from 38% in 2013 to 33% in 2022, an increase in the Asian population from 19% to 24%, a slight decrease in the Black population from 30% to 29%, and a relatively stable Hispanic population between 9-11% throughout the decade. These changes suggest a gradual transition towards increased diversity.
The demographic shifts in University Village - Little Italy correlate with economic changes. Median income has risen from $54,723 in 2013 to $69,502 in 2022, an increase of about 27%. The population grew from 14,554 in 2013 to a peak of 16,459 in 2018, before declining to 15,790 in 2022.
The demographic changes in University Village - Little Italy reflect broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States. These include increasing diversity in traditionally white-majority neighborhoods, growth in Asian populations in urban areas often associated with academic and tech sector expansion, and gentrification processes leading to increased median incomes and shifts in racial composition.
Unlike many gentrifying neighborhoods, University Village - Little Italy has maintained a relatively stable Black population percentage. This suggests a more balanced form of neighborhood change, potentially due to the influence of the university and the area's historical diversity.
The economic growth in the neighborhood is comparable to the national average. The median household income in the U.S. grew from about $52,250 in 2013 to $69,021 in 2022, a 32% increase. University Village - Little Italy's 27% growth is significant, considering its higher-than-average starting point in 2013.
University Village - Little Italy exemplifies a moderately diverse, economically improving urban neighborhood. Its changes over the past decade reflect broader urban trends of increasing diversity and economic growth, while maintaining a balance that likely stems from its academic influence and historical cultural significance.
