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Columbia Neighborhood: Low Diversity with Gradual Demographic Shifts
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Columbia neighborhood in Bellingham, Washington, is characterized by low diversity, with a predominantly White population of 86% in 2022. Over the past decade, the area has experienced subtle shifts towards increased diversity. Economically, the neighborhood has seen fluctuations in median income, with a notable increase in recent years followed by a decrease. Columbia is known for its historic charm, featuring many early 20th-century homes and tree-lined streets.
Columbia has maintained its status as a Low Diversity neighborhood over the past decade, with the White population remaining above 75% throughout. However, there are indications of a gradual transition towards increased diversity. The White population has decreased slightly from 92% in 2013 to 86% in 2022. The Hispanic population has doubled from 4% in 2013 to 8% in 2022. The Asian population has increased from 0% in 2013 to 2% in 2022. The Two or More Races category has grown from 1% to 3%. These changes, while modest, suggest a slow but steady trend towards a more diverse community.
The median income in Columbia has shown significant fluctuations over the past decade. From 2013 to 2021, there was a general upward trend in median income, rising from $61,463 to $92,444. However, 2022 saw a notable decrease to $78,062. The population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 3,400 and 3,900 residents. This stability, combined with the overall increase in median income, suggests a generally improving economic situation for the neighborhood, despite the recent dip.
The gradual increase in diversity in Columbia aligns with national trends of increasing diversity in many urban and suburban areas. However, the pace of change in Columbia appears slower than national averages. The significant increase in median income from 2013 to 2021 outpaced national averages, potentially indicating a period of economic growth and gentrification in the area.
The recent decrease in median income in 2022 could be reflective of broader economic challenges faced nationally, such as inflation and economic uncertainty post-pandemic. It is worth noting that despite this decrease, the 2022 median income remains higher than it was in 2013, indicating overall economic progress over the decade.
The subtle increase in Hispanic and Asian populations, while small, mirrors broader demographic shifts seen in many parts of the United States, particularly in urban areas. This gradual change could be indicative of Columbia slowly becoming more attractive to diverse populations, possibly due to economic opportunities or changes in the local housing market.
In conclusion, Columbia remains a predominantly White, Low Diversity neighborhood, but there are signs of gradual demographic changes and economic fluctuations. These trends suggest a community in slow transition, balancing its historic character with emerging diversity and economic challenges. Monitoring these trends in the coming years will be crucial to understanding the neighborhood's evolving identity and needs.
