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Demographic Analysis of Forest Beach: A Low Diversity, White Majority Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Forest Beach, a neighborhood in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, is characterized as a Low Diversity community with a White Majority. As of 2022, the white population comprises 92% of the neighborhood, with a median income of $60,621. This coastal community is known for its beaches and resort atmosphere, attracting tourists and retirees.
Forest Beach has maintained its status as a Low Diversity community with a White Majority over the past decade. The percentage of white residents has remained above 90% from 2013 to 2022, with minor fluctuations. Slight increases in diversity have occurred, particularly in the Hispanic and Two or More Races categories, but these changes have not significantly altered the overall demographic composition.
The neighborhood has not transitioned between diversity categories during this period, maintaining its Low Diversity classification. A small increase in the representation of other racial groups has been observed, particularly from 2017 onwards. The percentage of residents identifying as Two or More Races increased from 0% in 2016 to 2% in 2022, while the Black population rose from 0% to 2% in the same period.
The median income in Forest Beach has fluctuated over the past decade. It peaked in 2016 at $79,828 before experiencing a downward trend, reaching $60,621 in 2022. This represents a decrease of about 24% from the 2016 peak. The population has also fluctuated, declining from 1,681 in 2013 to 1,290 in 2022, a decrease of about 23%. This population decrease aligns with the decline in median income, suggesting a potential correlation between the two trends.
The economic changes do not appear to have significantly impacted the racial composition of the neighborhood, as the White Majority has remained stable despite the income fluctuations. This could indicate that the economic changes have affected all racial groups similarly or that other factors are more influential in maintaining the demographic makeup.
The demographic composition of Forest Beach differs from national averages. The United States has been trending towards greater diversity, with the non-Hispanic white population decreasing to about 60% as of the 2020 census. In contrast, Forest Beach has maintained a much higher percentage of white residents, indicating that it has not followed the national trend towards increased diversity.
The median household income in Forest Beach ($60,621 in 2022) is slightly higher than the national median, which was around $70,784 in 2021. However, the declining trend in Forest Beach's median income contrasts with the generally upward trend in national median income over the past decade.
Forest Beach presents a case of a community that has maintained its Low Diversity and White Majority status despite national trends towards increased diversity. While experiencing economic fluctuations, particularly in median income, these changes have not significantly altered the racial composition of the neighborhood. This stability might be attributed to the area's specific appeal as a coastal retirement and tourist destination, which may attract a particular demographic regardless of broader national trends.
