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Demographic Analysis of Forest Hills: A Predominantly White Neighborhood in Transition
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Forest Hills, a neighborhood in Hickory, North Carolina, exhibits characteristics of Low Diversity with a predominant White population (84% in 2022). The area has a median income of $72,433 as of 2022, suggesting an upper-middle-class community. Forest Hills is known for its historic charm, featuring many well-preserved homes from the early 20th century, which contributes to its unique character within Hickory.
Over the past decade, Forest Hills has maintained its status as a Low Diversity neighborhood, with the White population consistently representing over 75% of residents. There are signs of a gradual shift towards becoming a Transitional Community. The percentage of residents identifying as two or more races has increased from 0% in 2020 to 12% in 2022, indicating a trend towards increasing diversity. The Hispanic population has shown a consistent presence and slight growth, from 1% in 2013 to 3% in 2022.
The median income in Forest Hills has fluctuated over the years but shows an overall declining trend. From a peak of $86,477 in 2015, it has decreased to $72,433 in 2022. This 16% decrease in median income over seven years could be indicative of broader economic challenges or changes in the neighborhood's demographic composition.
As the neighborhood has begun to show signs of increasing diversity, there has been a corresponding decrease in median income. This could suggest that the new, more diverse residents moving into the area may have lower incomes compared to the long-term residents, or it could reflect broader economic pressures affecting the entire community. The population has shown moderate growth, increasing from 1,098 in 2013 to 1,308 in 2022, a 19% increase.
The trends observed in Forest Hills align with broader national patterns of increasing diversity in suburban neighborhoods. Many traditionally homogeneous, upper-middle-class suburbs across the United States have experienced similar demographic shifts over the past decade, often accompanied by changes in local economic dynamics. The decline in median income, while significant, is not uncommon in transitioning neighborhoods. It often reflects a period of adjustment as communities become more diverse and inclusive.
The increasing racial diversity in Forest Hills, particularly the growth in multiracial residents, mirrors national trends. The 2020 U.S. Census reported that the multiracial population grew significantly faster than the single-race population between 2010 and 2020, a trend clearly reflected in Forest Hills' recent demographic shifts. Forest Hills appears to be at the beginning stages of a demographic transition. While still categorized as Low Diversity, the neighborhood shows clear signs of evolving towards a more diverse community. This transition is accompanied by economic changes that may present both challenges and opportunities for community development and social cohesion in the coming years.
