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Demographic Analysis of Merriman Valley: A White Majority Neighborhood with Increasing Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Merriman Valley, a neighborhood in Akron, Ohio, is characterized as a White Majority community with moderate diversity. As of 2022, the white population constitutes 75% of the neighborhood, with Black (18%) and Asian (2%) minorities. The area's median income of $64,581 in 2022 indicates a middle-class suburban environment. Merriman Valley is situated near Cuyahoga Valley National Park, providing residents with access to outdoor recreational activities.
Over the past decade, Merriman Valley has maintained its White Majority status while showing signs of increasing diversity. In 2013, the neighborhood was categorized as having Low Diversity, with the white population at 77%. By 2022, the community had transitioned to Moderate Diversity, with increases in Black and Asian populations.
The Black population increased from 14% in 2013 to 18% in 2022, while the Asian population grew from 1% to 2%. This trend suggests a Transitional Community with gradual but steady diversification. The percentage of residents identifying as two or more races increased from less than 1% to 3% over this period, further supporting this categorization.
The median income in Merriman Valley has fluctuated over the years but shows an overall upward trend. From $63,992 in 2013, it rose to $68,876 in 2021 before decreasing to $64,581 in 2022. This generally positive income trend coincides with the increasing diversity, suggesting that the neighborhood has remained economically attractive to a broader range of residents.
The population has seen fluctuations, with an increase from 15,363 in 2019 to 16,330 in 2022. This population growth, coupled with increasing diversity and relatively stable median incomes, indicates that Merriman Valley has maintained its appeal while becoming more inclusive.
The demographic shifts in Merriman Valley align with broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban areas. Many U.S. suburbs have been experiencing similar transitions from Low Diversity to Moderate Diversity categories over the past decade.
The neighborhood's economic resilience, as evidenced by its stable and slightly increasing median income, is noteworthy in the context of Akron's overall economic challenges. While many Rust Belt cities have struggled with population loss and economic decline, Merriman Valley appears to be bucking this trend, possibly due to its location near natural amenities and its growing diversity.
Merriman Valley exemplifies a Transitional Community, evolving from a predominantly white, low-diversity suburb to a more diverse, economically stable neighborhood. This transition reflects broader national trends of suburban diversification and suggests a positive outlook for the area's continued growth and appeal to a wide range of residents.
