Loading Content...
Demographic Analysis of Southside, Billings: White Majority and Racial Composition Trends
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Southside neighborhood of Billings, Montana, exhibits Low Diversity characteristics, with a White Majority of 68% in 2022. The area's median income increased over the past decade, reaching $40,213 in 2022, indicating economic improvement. Southside is known for its historic charm, featuring early 20th-century homes and a strong sense of community, potentially contributing to its demographic stability.
Over the past decade, Southside has maintained its status as a White Majority neighborhood. In 2013, the neighborhood showed Moderate Diversity, with Native American (12%) and Hispanic (17%) populations alongside the White majority (61%). From 2014 to 2022, the area transitioned to Low Diversity, with the White population consistently exceeding 60% and often approaching or surpassing 70%. The neighborhood has maintained small but persistent Hispanic and Native American communities, suggesting some cultural diversity within its predominantly White demographic.
The economic trajectory of Southside shows a consistent upward trend in median income. From 2013 to 2022, median income increased from $27,408 to $40,213, representing a 46.7% increase over nine years. This income growth coincided with a slight increase in the White population percentage. The population has fluctuated over the years, with a decrease from 4,682 in 2010 to 3,880 in 2022. This population decline, coupled with rising incomes, might suggest gentrification or changing housing preferences.
The trend towards increasing racial homogeneity in Southside contrasts with many urban areas across the U.S., which have often seen increasing diversity over the past decade. The steady increase in median income aligns with broader national trends of economic recovery and growth following the 2008 recession. The population decline in Southside, despite economic improvements, may reflect broader trends seen in some Midwestern and Mountain states, where smaller cities and neighborhoods have experienced population loss even as incomes rise.
Southside presents a case of a neighborhood that has maintained and strengthened its demographic character as a White Majority area while experiencing significant economic growth. This trend raises questions about the interplay between racial composition, economic development, and community dynamics in smaller American cities. The neighborhood's evolution suggests a complex relationship between demographic stability and economic improvement, potentially influenced by its historic character and community ties.
