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Demographic Analysis of Highlands Douglas: A Predominantly White Neighborhood in Louisville, Kentucky
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Highlands Douglas, a neighborhood in Louisville, Kentucky, exhibits characteristics of low diversity with a white majority of 95% in 2022. The area has a median income of $83,456 as of 2022, indicating an affluent community. Highlands Douglas is known for its local culture, historic homes, restaurants, and shops along Bardstown Road.
Over the past decade, Highlands Douglas has maintained its status as a low diversity neighborhood with a strong white majority. The percentage of white residents has remained between 93% and 95% throughout the observed period. There have been minor shifts in other racial categories. The percentage of residents identifying as two or more races increased from 1% in 2013 to 2% in 2022. The Hispanic population doubled from 1% in 2014 to 2% in 2022. The Black population has remained at 1-2% throughout the decade.
The neighborhood has experienced economic growth, with median income rising from $79,054 in 2013 to $83,456 in 2022, a 5.6% increase. The highest median income was recorded in 2017 at $87,896. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the neighborhood maintained a high median income, decreasing only modestly from $86,941 in 2019 to $84,114 in 2020. The population has remained between 4,200 and 4,400 residents throughout the decade.
Highlands Douglas has experienced minimal demographic changes compared to many urban areas across the United States that have seen significant shifts towards increased diversity over the past decade. The neighborhood's resistance to rapid demographic change could be attributed to several factors. The high property values and stable population suggest a well-established community with low turnover. The high median income may create economic barriers for more diverse populations to move into the area. Kentucky has experienced slower demographic changes compared to more diverse states, which may influence neighborhood-level trends.
In comparison to national trends, where many urban areas have seen increases in racial and ethnic diversity, Highlands Douglas is changing at a much slower pace. This could be due to its characteristics as an affluent, historically white neighborhood in a less diverse state. The subtle shifts towards increased diversity, coupled with consistent economic growth, suggest that Highlands Douglas may be at the early stages of a potential long-term transition. However, significant changes in racial composition are likely to occur slowly unless there are major shifts in local housing policies or broader demographic trends in the Louisville area.
