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Cabb Island: A Study of Racial Demographics in a Low Diversity, Black Majority Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Cabb Island, a neighborhood in Columbia, South Carolina, exemplifies a Low Diversity community with a Black Majority. As of 2022, the neighborhood's population of 283 is 88% Black, with a median income of $22,293. This income level is below the national median. Cabb Island was formerly a plantation site that has become a predominantly African American neighborhood over time.
Over the past decade, Cabb Island has maintained its status as a Low Diversity, Black Majority community. The percentage of Black residents has remained above 85% throughout the period, with minor fluctuations. The White population increased from 4% in 2013 to 10% in 2022. The Hispanic population peaked at 6% in 2016-2018 but declined to 0% by 2022. A small Pacific Islander population (2%) emerged in recent years. These changes have not significantly altered the neighborhood's demographic classification.
The median income in Cabb Island has fluctuated but remained low. It peaked at $27,008 in 2013, reached its lowest point at $21,272 in 2018, and stood at $22,293 in 2022. This downward trend in median income correlates with the persistent Low Diversity status of the neighborhood. Population figures have shown volatility, with 304 residents in 2011, 225 residents in 2017, and 283 residents in 2022.
Cabb Island's demographic profile contrasts with national trends towards increasing diversity. The neighborhood's median income of $22,293 in 2022 is below the national median household income of approximately $70,000. This economic disparity is consistent with patterns of income inequality often observed in predominantly Black communities across the United States.
The persistence of a Black Majority in Cabb Island, despite minor demographic shifts, may reflect issues of residential segregation and economic disparities affecting many American cities. The neighborhood's evolution over the past decade highlights the relationship between race, economics, and community development in urban America.
In conclusion, Cabb Island has experienced subtle demographic changes and economic fluctuations over the past decade, but remains a Low Diversity, Black Majority community facing economic challenges. The neighborhood's trajectory raises questions about factors contributing to persistent racial and economic segregation in American cities, even as the country becomes more diverse.
