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Daufuskie Island in 2022: City with the fastest declining percentage of White residents in South Carolina over the past decade
CATEGORY
Top Regions
DATA
Racial Distributions
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Top Regions
Racial Distributions
Daufuskie Island, a small coastal community in South Carolina, has emerged as the city with the fastest declining percentage of White residents in the state over the past decade. This unique island, accessible only by boat, has experienced significant demographic shifts that have reshaped its racial composition. As of 2022, Daufuskie Island presents a compelling case study in rapid demographic change within a relatively isolated geographic setting.
The data reveals a dramatic decrease in the percentage of White residents on Daufuskie Island over recent years. In 2017, the island's population was entirely White, with 100% of residents identifying as such. However, by 2022, this percentage had plummeted to just 63.97%, marking a striking 36.03 percentage point decline in just five years. This rapid shift represents the most significant decrease in the White population percentage among South Carolina cities during this period.
The decline in the White population percentage has been accompanied by a notable increase in diversity on the island. The Hispanic population, in particular, has seen substantial growth. From a non-existent Hispanic presence in 2017, the percentage of Hispanic residents rose to 31.46% by 2022. This increase accounts for a significant portion of the demographic shift away from a predominantly White population. Additionally, the Black population, which was also non-existent in 2017, grew to 3.16% by 2022, further contributing to the island's increasing diversity.
It's important to note that while the percentage of White residents has decreased dramatically, this change has occurred within the context of overall population growth on the island. The total population of Daufuskie Island has increased from 410 in 2017 to 569 in 2022, representing a growth of approximately 38.8%. This population increase suggests that the demographic shift is not solely due to White residents leaving, but also to an influx of new residents from diverse backgrounds.
The changing racial composition of Daufuskie Island appears to correlate with other socioeconomic factors. For instance, the median income on the island has seen a slight decline, dropping from $145,499 in 2017 to $136,607 in 2022. This 6.11% decrease in median income coincides with the period of significant demographic change, potentially indicating a relationship between the two trends.
Another notable trend is the increase in population density, which has risen from 41 people per square mile in 2017 to 58 in 2022. This increased density, coupled with the overall population growth, suggests that the island is becoming more developed and potentially more accessible to a wider range of residents.
The employment-to-population ratio has also fluctuated during this period, rising from 0.23 in 2017 to a peak of 0.581 in 2021, before declining to 0.389 in 2022. These changes in employment rates may be indicative of shifting economic opportunities on the island, which could be influencing its demographic makeup.
In conclusion, Daufuskie Island has undergone a rapid and significant demographic transformation from 2017 to 2022, emerging as the South Carolina city with the fastest declining percentage of White residents. This shift has been characterized by a substantial decrease in the White population percentage, coupled with notable increases in Hispanic and Black residents. The change has occurred against a backdrop of overall population growth, slight declines in median income, increased population density, and fluctuating employment rates. These interrelated factors paint a picture of a community in transition, reflecting broader trends of increasing diversity in many parts of the United States.
