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Demographic Analysis of Ocean Drive, Newport: A Predominantly White Neighborhood with Slow Diversification
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Ocean Drive, a neighborhood in Newport, Rhode Island, is classified as a Low Diversity community with a White Majority. In 2022, 82% of its population identified as white. The median income in 2022 was $86,544, indicating an affluent area significantly above the national median. Ocean Drive is characterized by scenic coastal views and historic Gilded Age mansions, which attract wealthy residents and tourists.
Over the past decade, Ocean Drive has maintained its status as a Low Diversity community with a White Majority. However, subtle shifts towards increased diversity have occurred. The white population has decreased from 95% in 2015 to 82% in 2022. The Hispanic population has shown the most significant growth, increasing from 3% in 2015 to 7% in 2022, with a peak of 12% in 2019. The Black population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 1-4% throughout the decade. A notable change is the emergence of a "Two or More Races" category, which increased from 0% to 9% in 2022.
The median income in Ocean Drive has fluctuated over the years but generally remained high. It peaked at $100,987 in 2014 and has since experienced some decline, settling at $86,544 in 2022. The income trends do not show a clear correlation with the subtle demographic shifts, suggesting that the area's overall affluence remains relatively stable despite increasing diversity. The population has decreased from 1,783 in 2010 to 1,469 in 2022, a 17.6% decline.
Ocean Drive remains significantly less diverse than Rhode Island as a whole. As of 2022, Rhode Island's population was approximately 71% white, 16% Hispanic, and 8% Black, making it a Moderate Diversity state. Ocean Drive's slow diversification aligns with broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban and historically white-majority areas, but at a much slower pace.
The neighborhood's high median income and slow population decline are characteristic of exclusive coastal communities that often struggle with issues of affordability and accessibility for a diverse population. The emergence of a significant "Two or More Races" category in 2022 reflects a national trend of increasing multiracial identification, particularly among younger generations.
Ocean Drive remains a predominantly white, affluent neighborhood. Subtle demographic shifts and the emergence of multiracial identification suggest a slow transition towards greater diversity. However, the area's high property values and declining population may present challenges to accelerating this diversification trend in the future.
