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Demographic Analysis of Dearnley Park: A Predominantly White Neighborhood in Philadelphia
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Dearnley Park, a neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is classified as a Low Diversity area with a white majority of 73% as of 2022. The neighborhood's population has grown steadily over the past decade, reaching 1,613 residents in 2022. Dearnley Park has a high median income of $101,319 in 2022, which is significantly above the national average.
Over the past decade, Dearnley Park has maintained its status as a Low Diversity neighborhood, with the white population consistently representing over 70% of residents. In 2013, the neighborhood was close to being classified as Moderate Diversity, with the white population at 75% and significant Asian (9%) and Black (8%) populations. From 2014 to 2020, the community solidified its Low Diversity status, with the white population peaking at 83% in 2014.
A slight trend towards increased diversity emerged from 2017 to 2021, with the Black population reaching 16% in 2018 and 2019, briefly pushing the neighborhood towards Moderate Diversity. By 2022, there was an increase in the Hispanic population (9%) and a decrease in the Black population (6%), indicating a potential Transitional Community trend.
The demographic shifts correlate with economic changes. The median income has shown an overall upward trend, increasing from $93,873 in 2013 to $101,319 in 2022, with some fluctuations. The period of highest income growth (2017-2020) coincided with a slight increase in diversity, particularly the Black population percentage. The recent increase in the Hispanic population (2021-2022) occurred alongside a slight dip in median income, though it remains at a high level. Throughout these changes, the neighborhood has maintained its affluent status, with median incomes consistently above $85,000.
Dearnley Park's demographic and economic trends contrast with broader Philadelphia trends. While Philadelphia is known for its diversity and has a significant Black population (around 40% citywide), Dearnley Park has remained predominantly white. The median household income in Philadelphia was approximately $52,649 in 2022, less than half of Dearnley Park's median income. The neighborhood's resistance to broader diversification trends seen in many urban areas suggests it may be a pocket of relative demographic stability within a changing city. The slight increase in diversity in recent years, particularly the growth in the Hispanic population, aligns with national trends of increasing Hispanic populations in urban areas.
Dearnley Park presents a case of a high-income, predominantly white neighborhood showing signs of gradual diversification while maintaining its economic status. This subtle shift towards becoming a Transitional Community, particularly with the recent increase in Hispanic residents, suggests that even affluent, historically homogeneous neighborhoods are not immune to broader demographic changes occurring in urban America. However, the pace and extent of these changes in Dearnley Park remain limited compared to citywide and national trends, highlighting the complex interplay between economic status and demographic composition in urban neighborhoods.
