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Bon Air, Pittsburgh: A Study of Racial Composition and Demographic Trends
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
DATA SOURCE
United States Census Bureau: American Community Survey Data (ACS)
Bon Air, a neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, exhibits characteristics of Low Diversity with a significant White Majority, comprising 89% of the population in 2022. The area has experienced fluctuations in both population and median income over the past decade. The population increased from 883 in 2020 to 1,337 in 2022. Bon Air is situated on a hilltop, providing panoramic views of downtown Pittsburgh and the surrounding valleys.
Over the past decade, Bon Air has predominantly maintained its status as a White Majority community, with some fluctuations. From 2013 to 2015, the neighborhood showed extremely Low Diversity, with the White population consistently above 89%. Between 2016 and 2020, a gradual transition towards Moderate Diversity occurred, with the White population decreasing to 75% by 2020. This period saw increases in Black, Hispanic, and Two or More Races categories. In 2021-2022, there was a reversal of the diversification trend, returning to Low Diversity with the White population increasing to 89% again.
The median income in Bon Air has shown significant volatility. From 2013 to 2017, there was a general decline from $68,950 to $54,526. In 2018-2019, there was a sharp increase to around $67,000. From 2020 to 2022, the median income fluctuated between $52,158 and $77,504. The period of increased diversity (2016-2020) coincided with some of the lower median income years. The return to a higher White percentage in 2021-2022 correlated with a spike in median income to $77,504 in 2021, followed by a significant drop to $52,158 in 2022.
The population has generally trended upward, with notable increases in 2018-2019 and again in 2021-2022, possibly indicating the neighborhood's growing attractiveness despite income fluctuations.
Bon Air's demographic trends somewhat contradict the general national trend towards increasing diversity in urban areas. The neighborhood's reversion to a higher White percentage in recent years is unusual compared to many U.S. cities experiencing ongoing diversification.
The income volatility in Bon Air, particularly the sharp drop in 2022, may reflect broader economic challenges faced by many communities post-pandemic. However, the dramatic swings suggest local factors may be at play, such as changes in housing market dynamics or shifts in the local job market.
Bon Air presents a case of a neighborhood that briefly trended towards greater diversity but has since reverted to its historical demographic makeup. This, combined with significant income fluctuations, suggests a community in flux, potentially influenced by factors such as gentrification, changing housing preferences, or local economic shifts. The coming years will be crucial in determining whether Bon Air will maintain its current demographic profile or experience further transitions.
