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Camelia Neighborhood: A Study of Racial Composition and Diversity Fluctuations
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Camelia neighborhood in Semmes, Alabama, is characterized as a White Majority community with Low Diversity, with the white population comprising 90% of residents in 2022. The neighborhood has experienced economic growth over the past decade, with median income increasing from $56,831 in 2013 to $82,602 in 2022. The population of Camelia has remained relatively stable, ranging between 1,000 and 1,300 residents during this period.
From 2013 to 2019, Camelia transitioned from a community with extremely Low Diversity (98-99% white) to showing signs of becoming a Transitional Community. The percentage of white residents decreased from 98% in 2013 to 81% in 2019, while the Black and Hispanic populations increased. This trend peaked in 2020-2021, with the white population decreasing to 76-77% and Hispanic residents reaching 11-12%, indicating a move towards Moderate Diversity.
In 2022, there was a reversal of this trend, with the white population increasing to 90%, returning the neighborhood to its Low Diversity status. This shift may be attributed to various factors, such as changes in local housing policies, economic opportunities, or broader societal trends affecting migration patterns.
The demographic shifts in Camelia correlate with changes in median income. As the community became slightly more diverse between 2013 and 2019, the median income increased from $56,831 to $72,394. The period of greatest diversity (2020-2021) coincided with a significant increase in median income, peaking at $99,957 in 2021. The return to Low Diversity in 2022 was accompanied by a decrease in median income to $82,602, though still higher than a decade ago.
This pattern suggests that the brief period of increased diversity may have been associated with an influx of higher-income residents from various backgrounds. The subsequent reversal could indicate a shift in local economic conditions or housing market dynamics that influenced both demographic composition and income levels.
The demographic evolution of Camelia differs from broader trends in the United States. While many urban and suburban areas have experienced increasing diversity over the past decade, Camelia's trajectory shows a pattern of brief diversification followed by a return to a predominantly white community.
The economic growth in Camelia, with median income increasing by about 45% from 2013 to 2022, exceeds the national average. This suggests that despite its demographic fluctuations, the neighborhood has maintained strong economic momentum.
The Camelia neighborhood presents a case study in demographic and economic dynamics. Its brief period of increased diversity, followed by a rapid return to a White Majority status, coupled with significant economic growth, raises questions about the relationship between racial composition, economic opportunities, and community development in small urban areas. This pattern diverges from national trends towards increasing diversity and highlights the complexity of demographic shifts at the local level.
