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Demographic Analysis of McCrorey Heights: A Predominantly African American Neighborhood in Charlotte
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
McCrorey Heights, a neighborhood in Charlotte, North Carolina, exhibits a Low Diversity demographic profile with a clear Racial Majority. As of 2022, the African American population constitutes 90% of the neighborhood, categorizing it as a "Black Majority" area. The median income of $27,464 in 2022 is below the national average, indicating economic challenges within the community. McCrorey Heights has historical significance as one of Charlotte's first suburban developments for middle-class African Americans, established in the 1950s.
Over the past decade, McCrorey Heights has maintained its status as a Low Diversity, Black Majority neighborhood. The percentage of African American residents has remained above 90% throughout most of the observed period, with a slight decrease from 94% in 2013 to 90% in 2022. This minimal change suggests a stable racial composition, resistant to major demographic shifts.
There are subtle signs of increasing diversity, albeit at a slow pace. The white population has grown from 1% in 2013 to 7% in 2022, while the Hispanic population emerged in 2016 and has maintained a small presence (1-3%) since then. These changes could indicate the early stages of a Transitional Community, though the pace of change is currently too slow to fully qualify for this category.
The median income in McCrorey Heights has fluctuated over the past decade, showing no clear upward trend. From $32,543 in 2013, it dropped to a low of $22,927 in 2016 before recovering somewhat to $27,464 in 2022. This instability in income levels suggests ongoing economic challenges within the community.
The population of the neighborhood has decreased from 494 in 2010 to 347 in 2022, a reduction of about 30%. This population decline, coupled with the fluctuating income levels, may indicate that some residents have moved out of the area. The persistence of low median incomes despite this population decrease suggests that economic opportunities within the neighborhood remain limited.
The demographic stability of McCrorey Heights contrasts with broader trends in many urban areas across the United States, where increasing diversity and gentrification have led to more rapid demographic changes. The neighborhood's resistance to significant racial composition shifts could be attributed to its historical importance as a center for Charlotte's African American community.
Economically, the median income in McCrorey Heights ($27,464 in 2022) is lower than both the national median household income (approximately $70,784 in 2021) and Charlotte's overall median household income ($65,359 in 2021). This disparity highlights the economic challenges faced by residents of McCrorey Heights compared to the broader city and national contexts.
The population decline in McCrorey Heights runs counter to Charlotte's overall growth trend. While Charlotte has been one of the fastest-growing large cities in the U.S., increasing by about 19% between 2010 and 2020, McCrorey Heights has experienced a significant population decrease. This divergence suggests that the neighborhood may be facing unique challenges in retaining residents and attracting new ones, possibly due to limited economic opportunities or other local factors.
McCrorey Heights presents a picture of a historically significant African American neighborhood that has maintained its demographic character over the past decade, but faces ongoing economic challenges. While showing early signs of potential transition, the pace of change remains slow, and the community continues to grapple with income instability and population decline in contrast to the broader growth trends of Charlotte.
