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Demographic Analysis of Onaway Neighborhood: Racial Composition and Income Trends
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Onaway neighborhood in Shaker Heights, Ohio, is characterized as a "White Majority" community with moderate diversity. As of 2022, the white population comprises 63% of the total, with Black (26%) and Asian (5%) minorities. The neighborhood has a high median income of $123,923, indicating affluence. Onaway is known for its historic architecture, particularly Tudor Revival and Georgian Revival homes, contributing to Shaker Heights' reputation as an early planned community.
Over the past decade, Onaway has experienced subtle changes in its racial composition. In 2013, the neighborhood was classified as "White Majority" with 67% white residents. By 2018-2019, it approached a "Moderate Diversity" classification, with the white population decreasing to 60% and the Black population increasing to 28-29%. However, by 2022, there was a slight reversal, returning to a more pronounced "White Majority" at 63%.
This fluctuation suggests a "Transitional Community" dynamic, evident in the growth of the Black population from 19% in 2013 to 26% in 2022, and the Asian population from 4% to 5% over the same period. The Hispanic population has remained relatively stable at 1-3%.
The demographic shifts correlate with economic changes. The median income has shown a consistent upward trend, rising from $101,716 in 2013 to $123,923 in 2022, an increase of about 22%. This growth in affluence has occurred alongside increasing diversity, suggesting that the neighborhood has attracted higher-income residents from various racial backgrounds.
The population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between about 1,900 and 2,100 residents over the decade. This stability, combined with rising incomes and increasing diversity, indicates a gradual turnover of residents rather than a dramatic influx or exodus.
The trends observed in Onaway reflect broader national patterns of increasing diversity in affluent suburbs. However, the neighborhood's high median income and predominant white majority distinguish it from many urban areas that have experienced more rapid demographic shifts. The gradual nature of the changes in Onaway suggests a controlled integration process, possibly influenced by Shaker Heights' historical commitment to planned diversity and integration.
Nationally, the median household income in 2021 was $70,784, making Onaway's $132,213 for the same year nearly double the national average. This positions the neighborhood as an exceptionally affluent area, even as it becomes more diverse.
The slight reversal of the diversity trend in recent years, with a small increase in the white population percentage, could indicate gentrification pressures or natural fluctuations in a stable, high-income community. It will be important to monitor whether this represents a new trend or a temporary fluctuation in the neighborhood's demographic composition.
Onaway presents a picture of gradual, managed diversification within the context of increasing affluence. The neighborhood maintains its status as a "White Majority" area but shows signs of evolving towards greater diversity, albeit at a measured pace that aligns with its status as a historically planned and economically prosperous community.
