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Demographic Analysis of Richmond Beach: A Study of Racial Composition in a Low Diversity Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Richmond Beach, a neighborhood in Shoreline, Washington, exhibits characteristics of Low Diversity with a strong White Majority. As of 2022, the white population comprises 81% of the community, exceeding the 75% threshold for Low Diversity classification. The neighborhood has a high median income of $121,933, indicating an affluent community. Richmond Beach is known for its views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, which likely contributes to its desirability and high property values.
Over the past decade, Richmond Beach has consistently maintained its status as a White Majority community with Low Diversity. The white population percentage decreased slightly from 83% in 2013 to 81% in 2022, indicating a marginal increase in diversity. The Asian population has shown the most notable growth, increasing from 9% in 2013 to 10% in 2022, with a peak of 12% in 2015-2016. This trend suggests a slow but steady movement towards slightly increased diversity, though not enough to shift the neighborhood out of its Low Diversity classification.
The median income in Richmond Beach has shown significant growth over the decade, rising from $109,934 in 2013 to $121,933 in 2022, with a peak of $130,868 in 2019. This upward trend in income correlates with the slight increase in diversity, particularly the growth in the Asian population. The rise in income levels may be attracting more diverse, high-earning professionals to the area, slowly altering the demographic makeup.
Population figures have remained relatively stable, fluctuating between about 7,000 and 7,900 residents throughout the decade. This stability suggests that the demographic shifts, while noticeable, are occurring gradually without major population influxes or exoduses.
The demographic trends in Richmond Beach align with broader patterns seen in many affluent suburban areas across the United States. While the neighborhood remains predominantly white, the slow increase in diversity, particularly among Asian residents, reflects national trends of growing Asian populations in high-income suburbs.
The high and increasing median income in Richmond Beach significantly exceeds the national median household income, which was about $70,784 in 2021. This disparity underscores the neighborhood's status as an affluent enclave, potentially limiting accessibility for more diverse, middle-income families.
The stability of Richmond Beach's population and its persistent Low Diversity classification, despite slight increases in minority representation, suggests that the neighborhood may be experiencing what could be termed as "controlled diversification." This process involves a gradual increase in diversity within the constraints of high property values and limited housing turnover, typical of established, affluent suburbs.
Richmond Beach shows signs of incremental demographic change, its strong economic position and established community character appear to be moderating the pace of diversification. The neighborhood remains a predominantly white, affluent area with high stability, slowly adapting to broader demographic shifts while maintaining its distinct socio-economic profile.
