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Demographic Analysis of Far Southwest: A White Majority Neighborhood in Portland
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Far Southwest, a neighborhood in Portland, Oregon, is characterized as a Low Diversity community with a White Majority. In 2022, the white population constituted 77% of the total. The neighborhood's population has grown from 1,529 residents in 2010 to 2,041 in 2022. The median income in Far Southwest was $81,857 as of 2022, indicating an affluent community. The neighborhood is known for its proximity to natural areas and parks.
Over the past decade, Far Southwest has maintained its status as a Low Diversity community with a White Majority. The white population has decreased from 84% in 2019 to 77% in 2022. The Hispanic population increased from 3% in 2019 to 9% in 2022. The population identifying as two or more races grew from 3% in 2013 to 6% in 2022. Asian and Black populations have remained stable at 3-5% each throughout the decade.
The neighborhood's median income increased from $59,625 in 2013 to $81,857 in 2022, a 37% increase. The median income peaked in 2018 at $86,216 and has since stabilized around $81,000-$82,000. The population growth from 1,529 in 2010 to 2,041 in 2022 (a 33% increase) has coincided with income growth, suggesting the neighborhood has attracted affluent newcomers from diverse backgrounds.
Far Southwest's demographic composition differs from Portland's overall reputation as a progressively diverse city. This neighborhood appears to be less diverse than the city average, maintaining a strong white majority. The median income of $81,857 in Far Southwest is likely higher than both the Portland and national averages, indicating a relatively affluent enclave within the city. The combination of rising incomes, population growth, and slow diversification might suggest a gentle form of gentrification, where the neighborhood is becoming more diverse but primarily through the influx of more affluent residents from various backgrounds.
Far Southwest is experiencing a gradual transition from a highly homogeneous community to one with increasing diversity, particularly driven by growth in the Hispanic population and those identifying as two or more races. This demographic shift, coupled with rising incomes and population growth, indicates a neighborhood in the early stages of diversification while maintaining its economic affluence. The coming years will be crucial in determining whether this trend accelerates, potentially moving the neighborhood towards Moderate Diversity, or whether it will maintain its current character as a predominantly white, affluent enclave within Portland.
