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Demographic Analysis of Colony Neighborhood: Persistent Low Diversity and Economic Challenges
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Colony neighborhood in Columbia, South Carolina, is characterized as a "Low Diversity" community with a dominant Black majority. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a population of 556 and a median income of $17,367. The median income is below the federal poverty line for a family of four, indicating significant economic challenges in the area.
Throughout the past decade, Colony has maintained its status as a "Low Diversity" community with a strong Black majority. The percentage of Black residents has remained above 90% from 2013 to 2022, with minor fluctuations. The Hispanic population increased from 1% in 2013 to 4% in 2022. The White population decreased from 1% in 2013 to 0% in 2022. The Asian population remained consistently low, never exceeding 1%. Other races showed a slight increase from 0% to 2% between 2020 and 2022.
The median income in Colony has shown significant volatility over the past decade. From 2013 to 2019, there was an overall upward trend from $12,573 to $18,290, representing a 45% increase. From 2019 to 2021, there was a sharp decline to $14,351, a 22% decrease. From 2021 to 2022, there was a partial recovery to $17,367, but still below the 2019 peak.
Despite these fluctuations, the median income remains extremely low throughout the entire period, suggesting persistent economic challenges. The slight increase in diversity does not seem to correlate strongly with economic improvements, as the income levels remain depressed.
Population figures have remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 515 and 578 residents over the decade. This stability in population, combined with persistent low incomes, suggests limited economic mobility or opportunities for residents to improve their financial situations.
The economic situation in Colony is particularly dire when compared to national averages. The 2022 median income of $17,367 is significantly below the 2022 federal poverty line of $27,750 for a family of four. This places Colony among the most economically disadvantaged communities in the United States.
The racial composition of Colony, with its overwhelming Black majority, is atypical when compared to national demographics. While many urban areas have seen increasing diversity over the past decade, Colony has maintained its low diversity status, which could be both a cause and effect of its economic challenges.
The slight increase in the Hispanic population mirrors broader national trends of growing Hispanic communities in various parts of the country. However, the scale of this growth in Colony is much smaller than in many other urban areas.
Colony presents a picture of a highly segregated, economically challenged neighborhood that has seen only minimal demographic shifts over the past decade. The persistent low diversity and extreme economic hardship suggest that the neighborhood may be facing significant barriers to integration and economic development.
