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Demographic Analysis of SoFo: A White Majority Neighborhood in West Hollywood
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
DATA SOURCE
United States Census Bureau: American Community Survey Data (ACS)
SoFo, a neighborhood in West Hollywood, California, is characterized as a Low Diversity area with a White Majority. In 2022, 83% of its population identified as white. The neighborhood has experienced significant economic growth over the past decade. The median income increased from $28,998 in 2013 to $68,788 in 2022. SoFo is known for its affluent status, LGBTQ+ community, and trendy nightlife scene within the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
SoFo has maintained its White Majority status from 2013 to 2022. Between 2013 and 2015, the neighborhood exhibited Moderate Diversity, with a white population of 71% and notable Hispanic (14-15%) and Asian (8-10%) communities. From 2016 to 2022, the area transitioned to Low Diversity as the white population increased to over 75%, reaching 83% in 2022. This trend suggests a decrease in diversity, potentially due to gentrification or changes in the housing market.
The neighborhood has undergone substantial economic growth. The median income more than doubled from $28,998 in 2013 to $68,788 in 2022. This growth correlates with the increasing white majority and decreasing diversity. From 2013 to 2015, when diversity was higher, the median income grew from $28,998 to $53,484. Between 2016 and 2022, as diversity decreased, the median income continued to rise, reaching $80,818 in 2021 before declining slightly to $68,788 in 2022. This trend suggests a possible link between the increasing homogeneity of the neighborhood and rising property values and cost of living, potentially pricing out some minority communities.
Population trends indicate a slight decline from 3,338 in 2013 to 2,682 in 2022. This decrease could suggest that as property values and incomes rose, the area became less accessible to a broader range of residents.
The demographic trends in SoFo diverge from the broader national trend towards increasing diversity. SoFo appears to be becoming less diverse, contrary to many urban areas in the United States. This could be attributed to its status as a desirable, high-income neighborhood within the already expensive West Hollywood area.
The economic growth in SoFo outpaces national averages. Its median income in 2022 ($68,788) is significantly higher than the national median household income (approximately $70,784 in 2021). This rapid growth and high income level align with trends seen in other gentrifying urban neighborhoods across the country, particularly those in major coastal cities.
The decreasing population despite rising incomes could indicate a shift towards smaller household sizes or an increase in single-occupancy residences, which is common in high-income urban areas with significant young professional populations.
SoFo presents a case of a neighborhood becoming less diverse and more affluent over time, potentially reflecting broader issues of gentrification and housing affordability in desirable urban areas. These changes likely have significant implications for the neighborhood's character, local businesses, and community dynamics.
