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Demographic Analysis of Parkside, Portland: A Study of Racial Composition and Economic Trends
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Parkside neighborhood in Portland, Maine, as of 2022, is classified as a "Low Diversity" community with a "White Majority," where 80% of the population identifies as white. The neighborhood has experienced substantial economic growth over the past decade, with median income increasing from $28,781 in 2013 to $50,198 in 2022. Parkside is characterized by its historic Victorian architecture and proximity to Deering Oaks Park, one of Portland's largest public green spaces.
Over the past decade, Parkside has maintained its status as a "White Majority" community, with notable fluctuations. In 2016, the neighborhood briefly approached a "Moderate Diversity" classification, with the white population decreasing to 71% and the Black population reaching 21%. However, this trend reversed in subsequent years, returning to a "Low Diversity" status by 2022.
The Black population demonstrated the most significant changes, rising from 15% in 2013 to 21% in 2016, before declining to 7% by 2022. In contrast, the Hispanic population has shown a steady increase from 4% in 2013 to 8% in 2022, indicating a gradual shift towards a more diverse community composition. The neighborhood could be classified as a "Transitional Community" due to the increasing trends in Hispanic and multiracial populations over the last five years, suggesting a slow but steady move towards greater diversity.
The median income in Parkside has shown remarkable growth, nearly doubling from $28,781 in 2013 to $50,198 in 2022. This economic improvement coincides with demographic shifts, particularly the decrease in the Black population and increase in the white population percentage. The period of highest diversity (2016-2018) corresponded with lower median incomes, while the return to "Low Diversity" status aligns with significant income growth.
The population has grown moderately, from 3,053 in 2013 to 3,529 in 2022, suggesting that the neighborhood has become increasingly attractive to new residents, potentially due to economic improvements and urban development initiatives.
The demographic trends in Parkside reflect broader national patterns of gentrification in urban neighborhoods, where economic development often correlates with demographic shifts. The rapid income growth and changing racial composition suggest that Parkside may be experiencing gentrification, a phenomenon common in many American cities.
Parkside's demographic evolution contrasts with national trends towards increasing diversity. While many urban areas are becoming more racially diverse, Parkside has maintained and even strengthened its white majority over the past few years. This could be attributed to Maine's overall demographic composition, which is predominantly white compared to national averages.
The economic growth in Parkside outpaces national averages, with the median household income in the U.S. growing from about $52,000 in 2013 to $70,000 in 2022. Parkside's growth from a much lower base to nearly reaching the national average suggests a rapid transformation of the neighborhood's economic landscape.
Parkside presents a complex picture of a neighborhood undergoing significant economic improvements while experiencing fluctuations in its racial composition. The trend towards a stronger white majority alongside rising incomes raises questions about accessibility and affordability for diverse populations, highlighting the challenges of balancing economic growth with maintaining community diversity.
