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Demographic Analysis of Fern Rock: A Black Majority Neighborhood in Transition
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Fern Rock, a neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is characterized as a Low Diversity community with a Black Majority. In 2022, the Black population constituted 81% of the neighborhood. The median income in 2022 was $43,670, indicating an increase from previous years. Fern Rock is notable for its historic train station, which functions as a transit hub connecting the neighborhood to Center City Philadelphia and surrounding suburbs.
Over the past decade, Fern Rock has maintained its status as a Black Majority community, but has experienced subtle shifts in racial composition. The Black population decreased from 93% in 2015 to 81% in 2022. The Hispanic population increased from 1% in 2015 to 11% in 2022. The percentage of residents identifying as two or more races increased from 2% in 2015 to 5% in 2022. These changes suggest a gradual transition towards increased diversity.
The economic landscape of Fern Rock has fluctuated over the past decade. The median income dropped from $42,526 in 2015 to $30,019 in 2017, before increasing to $43,670 in 2022. The neighborhood's population grew from 4,136 in 2015 to 4,794 in 2022, a 15.9% increase. This growth coincides with the diversification trend and may be partially attributed to the influx of Hispanic residents.
The demographic shifts in Fern Rock reflect broader trends observed in many urban areas across the United States. Many historically Black neighborhoods in major cities are experiencing gradual diversification, often driven by Hispanic population growth. The income variations in Fern Rock mirror the economic challenges and recoveries faced by many working-class urban neighborhoods in the post-2008 recession era. Fern Rock's changes align with Philadelphia's overall trend of increasing diversity, though the city as a whole has a more balanced racial composition compared to this specific neighborhood.
Fern Rock is undergoing a gradual transition from a highly homogeneous Black Majority community towards increased diversity, particularly with growth in Hispanic and multiracial populations. This demographic shift, coupled with recent economic improvements, suggests a neighborhood in flux. While still categorized as Low Diversity, Fern Rock shows potential for evolving into a more diverse community in the coming years, reflecting broader urban demographic trends in the United States.
