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Demographic Analysis of Charlestown: A White Majority Neighborhood with Emerging Racial Shifts
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Charlestown, a neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts, is classified as a "White Majority" community, with 71% of its population identifying as white in 2022. The neighborhood has experienced economic growth over the past decade, with median income increasing from $93,807 in 2013 to $131,255 in 2022. Charlestown is notable for its historic significance, housing the Bunker Hill Monument and the USS Constitution Museum.
Throughout the period from 2013 to 2022, Charlestown has maintained its "White Majority" status. The white population percentage has remained between 66% and 71%. There has been a slight increase in racial diversity, particularly in the Asian and Hispanic populations. The community has not transitioned to other categories such as "High Diversity" or "Moderate Diversity," but shows indications of gradual diversification.
Notable demographic changes include a decrease in the Black population from 10% in 2013 to 6% in 2022, an increase in the Hispanic population from 9% in 2013 to 11% in 2022, a slight increase in the Asian population from 8% in 2013 to 9% in 2022, and growth in the "Two or More Races" category from 1% in 2013 to 4% in 2022. These shifts suggest a trend towards a more diverse community, albeit at a slow pace.
The demographic shifts correlate with significant economic changes. Median income has increased by 40%, from $93,807 in 2013 to $131,255 in 2022. The population has grown from 18,437 in 2013 to 21,024 in 2022, an increase of about 14%. The rising median income suggests gentrification, which may explain the slight decrease in some minority populations and the increase in white and Asian populations. The growth in median income outpacing population growth indicates that the neighborhood is becoming more affluent.
In comparison to broader trends, Charlestown's median income growth outpaces national averages, suggesting it is becoming an increasingly desirable and expensive area within Boston. The neighborhood's racial composition changes are slower compared to national trends towards increased diversity, maintaining its "White Majority" status while many urban areas are transitioning to "Majority-Minority" or "High Diversity" categories. The growth in the Hispanic and Asian populations aligns with broader national demographic shifts in urban areas.
Charlestown presents a picture of a historically white, affluent neighborhood experiencing gradual diversification alongside significant economic growth. While it has not transitioned to a new demographic category, the subtle shifts in racial composition and the substantial increase in median income suggest a neighborhood in the early stages of demographic and economic transition. These changes likely have implications for local culture, housing affordability, and community dynamics.
