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Demographic Analysis of Barry Square: A Majority-Hispanic Neighborhood with Increasing Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Barry Square, a neighborhood in Hartford, Connecticut, is classified as a "Majority-Minority" community with "Moderate Diversity." As of 2022, the Hispanic population comprises 60% of the residents, with other racial groups also represented. The neighborhood's median income in 2022 was $35,275, indicative of a lower-income urban area. Barry Square is home to Trinity College, an old liberal arts institution that may influence the neighborhood's socioeconomic dynamics.
Over the past decade, Barry Square has maintained its status as a "Majority-Minority" community. The Hispanic population has remained the dominant group, consistently representing 58-60% of the population. The neighborhood has transitioned from "Low Diversity" to "Moderate Diversity" during this period. In 2013, the Hispanic population was 58% and the White population was 21%. By 2022, the distribution showed Hispanic (60%), Black (16%), and White (17%) populations, with a consistent Asian presence (4%).
The median income in Barry Square has increased from $23,337 in 2013 to $35,275 in 2022, a 51% growth over nine years. This economic improvement correlates with the increasing diversity of the neighborhood. However, the population has decreased from 14,903 in 2013 to 13,114 in 2022, a decline of about 12%. This could indicate gentrification processes.
The demographic trends in Barry Square reflect broader national patterns of increasing diversity in urban areas. Many U.S. cities have experienced growth in Hispanic populations and a decline in White populations over the past decade. However, Barry Square's stability in its Hispanic majority is somewhat unique.
The income growth in Barry Square, while significant, still places the neighborhood below the national median household income, which was approximately $70,784 in 2021. This suggests that while the area is improving economically, it still faces challenges typical of urban, majority-minority neighborhoods.
The presence of Trinity College in the neighborhood likely influences some of the economic and demographic dynamics. Colleges often attract diverse populations and can drive local economic activity, which may partially explain the increasing diversity and rising incomes in Barry Square.
Barry Square exemplifies a neighborhood in transition, maintaining its strong Hispanic cultural identity while gradually becoming more diverse and economically prosperous. These changes reflect broader urban trends but also highlight the unique character of this Hartford neighborhood, shaped by its history, institutions, and evolving community dynamics.
