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Demographic Analysis of Alief: A Highly Diverse Neighborhood in Houston
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Alief, a neighborhood in Houston, Texas, is categorized as a "High Diversity" area as of 2022. No single racial group comprises more than 40% of the population, with Hispanic, Black, and Asian groups each exceeding 10% of the population. The neighborhood's median income is $52,093. Alief is known as Houston's "International District" due to its cultural diversity.
Over the past decade, Alief has maintained its "High Diversity" status. The Hispanic population has remained the largest group, fluctuating between 43% and 47%. The Black population has increased from 22% in 2013 to 25% in 2022. The Asian population has remained stable at around 20-21%. The White population has declined from 11% in 2013 to 7% in 2022. These trends indicate a slight increase in Black representation while maintaining overall high diversity.
The median income in Alief has shown an upward trend, rising from $46,644 in 2013 to $52,093 in 2022, an increase of 11.7% over the decade. This growth has not been linear, with a dip between 2014 and 2015, and a significant increase between 2019 and 2020. The population has fluctuated, peaking at 136,301 in 2017 and settling at 131,492 in 2022.
The economic trends correlate with the demographic shifts. As the neighborhood has become more diverse, with a growing Black population and a decreasing White population, there has been a gradual increase in median income. This suggests that the changing demographics may be associated with more economic opportunities or improved economic conditions for existing residents.
Alief's demographic evolution reflects broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States, particularly in terms of increasing diversity and the growth of Hispanic and Asian populations. Alief is notable for maintaining a high level of diversity without any single group becoming dominant, which is less common nationally.
The economic growth in Alief, while positive, appears to be slower than the national average. The U.S. median household income grew from $51,939 in 2013 to $70,784 in 2021, an increase of about 36%. Alief's more modest growth might be attributed to its status as a highly diverse, working-class neighborhood in a major metropolitan area.
Alief represents a microcosm of America's evolving urban landscape, characterized by high diversity, gradual economic improvement, and the challenges and opportunities that come with demographic change. The neighborhood's ability to maintain its diversity while experiencing economic growth suggests a resilient community adapting to broader socio-economic trends.
