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Demographic Analysis of Fairhill: A Low Diversity Hispanic Majority Neighborhood in Philadelphia
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Fairhill, a neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is characterized as a Low Diversity community with a Hispanic Majority. As of 2022, 86% of the population identifies as Hispanic, making it one of the most concentrated Hispanic communities in Philadelphia. Fairhill is known for its Latino culture and is referred to as "El Centro de Oro" due to its Puerto Rican heritage and Hispanic-owned businesses.
Over the past decade, Fairhill has maintained its status as a Low Diversity community with a Hispanic Majority. The Hispanic population has remained dominant, fluctuating between 83% and 90% from 2013 to 2022. The Black population has shown slight variations, ranging from 6% to 11% over the years. The White population has increased from 1% in 2013 to 4% in 2022. A small but growing "Two or More Races" category (2% in 2022) suggests the beginnings of a potential Transitional Community, albeit at a very slow pace.
The median income in Fairhill has shown a general upward trend, with fluctuations. From 2013 to 2022, the median income increased from $15,008 to $18,692, representing a 24.5% increase. This growth has not been steady, with significant dips in 2014 and 2017. The most substantial income growth occurred between 2015 and 2016, jumping from $16,859 to $18,545.
The slight increase in racial diversity coincides with the overall upward trend in median income. However, the persistent low income levels suggest that economic opportunities remain limited despite minor demographic changes. Population trends show a general decline from 5,233 in 2010 to 4,717 in 2022, a 9.9% decrease. This decline could be indicative of factors such as outmigration, possibly due to economic pressures or gentrification in surrounding areas.
Fairhill's demographic and economic trends stand out when compared to broader Philadelphia and national trends. While Philadelphia as a whole has been experiencing increasing diversity and gentrification in many neighborhoods, Fairhill has maintained its strong Hispanic majority. The median household income in Fairhill ($18,692 in 2022) is significantly lower than Philadelphia's median of $52,649 (as of 2021) and the national median of $69,021 (2021). The persistent low-income levels in Fairhill, despite some growth, indicate that the neighborhood faces more severe economic challenges compared to the city and nation as a whole.
In conclusion, while Fairhill shows signs of very gradual diversification and some economic improvement, it remains a distinctly Hispanic-majority, low-income neighborhood. The slow pace of change suggests that deeply entrenched socio-economic factors continue to shape the community's demographics and economic opportunities.
