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Demographic Analysis of Seminary Ridge: A Predominantly Black Neighborhood in Columbia, South Carolina
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Seminary Ridge, a neighborhood in Columbia, South Carolina, is classified as a "Low Diversity" community with a "Racial Majority." As of 2022, the neighborhood has a Black majority, comprising 81% of the population. The median income in 2022 was $36,565, which is lower than the national median household income. Seminary Ridge is named after the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, an institution present in the area since 1830.
Over the past decade, Seminary Ridge has maintained its status as a "Low Diversity" community with a strong "Racial Majority." The Black population has remained the dominant racial group, fluctuating between 70% and 83% from 2013 to 2022. There have been no significant transitions between diversity categories, only subtle shifts within the existing category.
The white population, while remaining a minority, has shown fluctuation. It reached a peak of 25% in 2015 but has since declined to 15% in 2022. The Hispanic population, previously non-existent, has emerged with a small presence of 2% in 2022, potentially indicating the beginning of a gradual diversification.
The median income in Seminary Ridge has shown volatility over the past decade. From 2013 to 2019, there was a general downward trend, with median income decreasing from $35,736 to $29,704. The neighborhood experienced an economic upturn in recent years, with median income rising to $52,142 in 2021 before declining to $36,565 in 2022.
This economic volatility does not appear to have a direct correlation with the racial composition, which has remained relatively stable. However, the population has steadily decreased from 678 in 2013 to 439 in 2022, which could indicate that economic pressures may be driving some residents out of the neighborhood.
The persistent racial majority in Seminary Ridge contrasts with national trends towards increasing diversity in many urban areas. While many U.S. cities have been experiencing a "Transitional Community" phase with growing Hispanic and multiracial populations, Seminary Ridge has maintained its predominantly Black demographic profile.
The economic volatility observed in Seminary Ridge, particularly the sharp increase in median income in 2021 followed by a decline in 2022, may reflect broader economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recovery efforts. However, the neighborhood's median income remains below the national median, indicating persistent economic challenges.
The declining population in Seminary Ridge, despite the stable racial composition, could suggest that the neighborhood is facing issues such as limited economic opportunities or housing affordability problems that are causing residents to seek opportunities elsewhere. This trend contrasts with many urban areas across the U.S. that have seen population growth over the same period.
Seminary Ridge has maintained its status as a low-diversity, Black-majority neighborhood over the past decade. It has experienced significant economic fluctuations and a steady population decline. These trends suggest that while the racial character of the neighborhood has remained stable, it faces ongoing socioeconomic challenges that may be impacting its long-term sustainability and attractiveness to residents.
