Iowa City Housing Information

Housing Market Analysis: Significant Characteristics of the Housing Market:
Areas if Concentration of Racial/Ethnic Minorities

 

I. Development of the 2001-2006 Consolidation Plan (CITY STEPS) II. Housing & Homeless Needs Assesment III. Housing Market Analysis IV. Strategic Plan V. Certifications VI. Appendices
A. Significant Characteristics of the Housing Market B. Public and Assisted Housing C. Homeless Facilities D. Special Needs Facilities and Services E. Barriers to Affordable Housing F. Housing Discrimination
1. Background and Trends 2. Supply and Demand 3. Condition of the Housing Stock 4. Building Permits and Value of New Construction 5. Cost of the Housing Stock
6. Vacancy Rates 7. Housing Stock Available to Persons with Disabilities 8. Housing Stock Available to Persons with HIV/AIDS 9. Areas if Concentration of Racial/Ethnic Minorities 10. Concentrations of Low Income Households

9. Areas of Concentration of Racial/Ethnic Minorities

When considering the minority population of Iowa City, it is important to note the low proportions of minorities throughout the State. Iowa is predominantly White; 1.7 percent of residents are Black, 1.2 percent are Hispanic, and less than one percent each of Native American and Asian populations. Iowa City's academic, medical, and business environments attract a wide variety of people. Blacks (non-Hispanic) make up 3.2 percent of the population while Asians (non-Hispanic) are at 5.8 percent and people of Hispanic origin account for 1.4 percent. The only minority group under-represented compared to the State level is the Native American population.

a. Definition of Minority Concentration

A minority concentration is defined herein as any tract where the population of any minority group is ten percent more than the citywide proportion. Mapping of Iowa City shows the Asian or Pacific Islander population is the only minority group that appears as a concentration, according to this definition. Since the 1990 Census the number of minority households has increased by 782 households or an increase of 2.9% of all households. This is likely due to a demographic shift in the student population.

Not surprisingly, the areas showing a concentration of minorities are where University housing is located. It is misleading to label these "minority concentrations," since the total numbers are so small. Tract 4 contains University-owned student housing for families. Tract 9 also shows a concentration, however, the housing in this area is relatively expensive and the tract does not qualify as low income. Table III.11 shows the breakdown of Iowa City's population by race and the number of persons.

Map III.1
Click to enlarge (70K)

Table III.11

IOWA CITY POPULATION BY RACE

Race

Percent of Total Population

Number of Persons

White (non-Hispanic)

87.2

52,440

Black (non-Hispanic)

3.2

1,899

American Indian, Eskimo, or Aleut (non-Hispanic)

.4

260

Asian or Pacific Islander

(non-Hispanic)

5.8

3,467

Hispanic (any race)

2.6

1,568

SOURCE: 1996 CENSUS
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