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Demographic Analysis of Somerville, Manchester: A White Majority Neighborhood with Increasing Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Somerville, a neighborhood in Manchester, New Hampshire, exhibits characteristics of a White Majority community with moderate diversity. As of 2022, the white population comprises 65% of the total, while Hispanic residents represent 19%. The neighborhood's population has grown from 6,778 in 2010 to 8,471 in 2022. Economically, Somerville's median income reached $63,461 in 2022. The area is known for its historic mill buildings, many converted into modern apartments and businesses.
Over the past decade, Somerville has transitioned from a Low Diversity community to one approaching Moderate Diversity. In 2013, white residents comprised 70% of the population, decreasing to 65% by 2022. The Hispanic population grew from 9% to 19% during this period. This shift suggests a trend towards a more diverse community, though it maintains a White Majority status. The increase in the Hispanic population and growth in residents identifying as two or more races (from 1% in 2013 to 5% in 2022) indicate that Somerville may be evolving into a Transitional Community.
Potential triggers for these changes include economic opportunities attracting diverse populations, changes in housing affordability, and evolving social attitudes towards diversity. The median income in Somerville has shown an overall upward trend, rising from $55,523 in 2013 to $63,461 in 2022, an increase of about 14%. This growth in income has coincided with the increasing diversity of the neighborhood.
There was a significant increase in median income between 2020 and 2021 (from $63,935 to $69,691), followed by a decrease in 2022. This fluctuation could be related to economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recovery. The population growth from 6,778 in 2010 to 8,471 in 2022 represents an increase of about 25%. This growth, coupled with the changing racial demographics, suggests that Somerville has become an increasingly attractive destination for diverse populations.
Somerville's demographic shifts align with broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban and suburban areas. The growth of the Hispanic population reflects a nationwide trend of Hispanic population growth in many communities across the United States. The economic growth in Somerville suggests that the neighborhood has been relatively resilient in the face of national economic challenges. However, the recent dip in median income from 2021 to 2022 may indicate that Somerville is not immune to broader economic pressures affecting the country.
Somerville appears to be in a state of demographic and economic transition. While it remains a White Majority community, it is showing signs of increasing diversity, particularly with growth in the Hispanic population. This demographic shift, coupled with overall population growth and a general trend of rising incomes, suggests that Somerville is evolving into a more diverse and economically dynamic neighborhood. These changes likely bring both opportunities and challenges as the community adapts to its changing composition and economic landscape.
