Demographic Analysis of Rolling Mill, Cumberland: A Low Diversity Neighborhood with White Majority
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
DATA SOURCE
Rolling Mill, a neighborhood in Cumberland, Maryland, exhibits a demographic profile characterized by Low Diversity, with a White Majority comprising 80% of the population as of 2022. The neighborhood has experienced fluctuations in both population and median income over the past decade, reflecting economic challenges faced by many small urban areas in the United States. Rolling Mill's name likely derives from past steel or manufacturing activities that were once central to the local economy.
Over the past decade, Rolling Mill has consistently maintained its status as a White Majority neighborhood, falling under the Low Diversity category. The white population percentage has fluctuated, reaching a low of 76% in 2015 and a high of 91% in 2018, before settling at 80% in 2022. There has been an increase in the "Two or More Races" category, rising from 4% in 2013 to 13% in 2022. The Black population has shown variability, peaking at 12% in 2015 but decreasing to 3% by 2022.
The median income in Rolling Mill has shown considerable volatility. From 2013 to 2015, there was a significant decline in median income, dropping from $29,338 to $24,187. A recovery phase followed, with income rising to a peak of $34,598 in 2018. Since then, income levels have fluctuated, settling at $29,902 in 2022. These economic trends loosely correlate with demographic shifts. The period of lowest income (2015) coincided with the highest percentage of Black residents and lowest percentage of White residents.
Population figures have also fluctuated, with a notable increase in 2018-2019 coinciding with the period of highest median income. However, the population has since decreased, potentially indicating outmigration possibly due to economic factors.
The demographic stability of Rolling Mill, maintaining a White Majority despite slight increases in diversity, contrasts with national trends towards increasing diversity in many urban areas. The neighborhood's median income has consistently remained well below the national median income, reflecting the economic challenges faced by many small, formerly industrial cities in the United States.
The gradual increase in multiracial residents aligns with national trends, as the U.S. has seen a rise in people identifying as two or more races in recent years. However, the overall pace of diversification in Rolling Mill appears slower than in many urban areas across the country.
While Rolling Mill has maintained its status as a Low Diversity, White Majority neighborhood, subtle demographic shifts and significant income fluctuations suggest a community in gradual transition. These changes may be indicative of broader socio-economic pressures and evolving community dynamics in smaller urban areas struggling to adapt to post-industrial economic realities.
