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Demographic Analysis of Fort Washington, Maryland: A Study of Racial Composition and Economic Trends
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
DATA SOURCE
United States Census Bureau: American Community Survey Data (ACS)
Fort Washington, Maryland, is categorized as a "Black Majority" community, with 61% of the population identifying as Black in 2022. The city has experienced moderate demographic shifts over the past decade, trending towards increased diversity. Economically, Fort Washington has a high median income of $129,692 in 2022, significantly above the national average.
Fort Washington has maintained its status as a "Black Majority" community throughout the analyzed period. However, there is a clear trend towards increased diversity. The Black population has decreased from 69% in 2013 to 61% in 2022, indicating a gradual shift away from "Low Diversity." The Hispanic population has shown the most significant growth, doubling from 7% in 2013 to 15% in 2022. The Asian population has remained relatively stable, hovering around 9-11%. The White population has slightly increased from 12% to 13% over the decade. These changes suggest Fort Washington is moving towards a "Moderate Diversity" classification, though it has not yet reached that threshold.
The economic landscape of Fort Washington has seen substantial growth. Median income has risen from $114,408 in 2013 to $129,692 in 2022, a 13.4% increase. The population has grown modestly from 23,744 in 2013 to 25,340 in 2022, a 6.7% increase. The rising median income correlates with the increasing diversity, suggesting that the influx of new residents may be contributing to economic growth. The Hispanic population's growth, in particular, coincides with the income increase, potentially indicating successful economic integration of this group.
Fort Washington's trends align with broader national patterns of increasing diversity in suburban areas. The high median income and its growth rate suggest that Fort Washington is an affluent suburb, likely benefiting from its proximity to Washington D.C. and its strong job market.
Based on the observed trends, Fort Washington is likely to continue its trajectory towards increased diversity. If current trends persist, the community may transition from "Black Majority" to "Black Plurality" within the next 5-10 years if the Black population continues to decrease at the current rate. The Hispanic population may become the second-largest group, potentially surpassing the White population. The community could eventually reach "Moderate Diversity" status if the Hispanic and Asian populations continue to grow while the Black population decreases.
Economically, the steady increase in median income is likely to continue, potentially attracting more diverse, high-income residents. This could further accelerate the shift towards greater diversity.
Fort Washington appears to be in a transition phase, moving from a predominantly Black community to a more diverse, affluent suburb. This evolution reflects broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban areas, particularly those near major metropolitan centers. The community's ability to maintain high median incomes while diversifying suggests a positive integration of new residents and bodes well for its future economic prospects.
