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Demographic Analysis of The Oaks Neighborhood: Racial Composition and Economic Trends
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Oaks neighborhood in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, is a White Majority community with moderate diversity. As of 2022, the white population comprises 64% of residents, with a Black minority at 34%. The neighborhood has experienced demographic and economic changes over the past decade, reflecting broader socioeconomic trends in the region. The Oaks is located near the University of Southern Mississippi, which influences its demographic makeup and economic characteristics.
The Oaks has undergone a transformation in its racial composition over the past decade. In 2013, it was a White Majority community with 57% white residents. From 2014 to 2018, the neighborhood transitioned to a Moderate Diversity status, with the Black population ranging from 40-47% and the white population between 45-50%. This period marked the highest level of racial diversity in the neighborhood during the observed timeframe.
A shift occurred in 2019, with the community reverting to a White Majority status. The white population increased to 67%, while the Black population decreased to 28%. This trend has largely persisted through 2022, though with a slight increase in the Black population to 34%. These shifts could be attributed to factors such as changes in university enrollment patterns, local economic conditions, or migration trends in the Hattiesburg area.
The neighborhood's economic trajectory shows correlations with its demographic shifts. The median income increased from $32,991 in 2013 to $57,045 in 2018, coinciding with the period of highest racial diversity. This suggests that increased diversity may have been associated with economic growth in the area. However, a reversal occurred after 2019, with median income decreasing to $29,854 in 2020 and remaining around $30,000 through 2022. This decline coincides with the shift back to a White Majority status, potentially indicating economic challenges that affected minority residents or led to their outmigration.
The population figures have fluctuated over the years, with no clear long-term trend. The highest population was recorded in 2018 at 1,640, which aligns with the peak in median income and the period of highest diversity.
The demographic shifts in The Oaks reflect trends seen in many university-adjacent neighborhoods across the United States. These areas often experience demographic changes due to the transient nature of student populations and the influence of university policies on local demographics. The economic decline observed after 2019 may be partially attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted university towns and their surrounding neighborhoods.
The transition back to a White Majority status, coupled with economic decline, could indicate a reversal of previous gentrification trends or changes in the university's student body composition. This pattern diverges from national trends that generally show increasing diversity in urban and suburban areas, suggesting that local factors are playing a role in shaping The Oaks' demographic and economic landscape.
The Oaks neighborhood has experienced demographic and economic volatility over the past decade, transitioning from a White Majority community to one of Moderate Diversity and back again. These changes, influenced by its proximity to the University of Southern Mississippi and broader economic factors, highlight the dynamic nature of university-adjacent neighborhoods and the interplay between racial demographics and economic conditions in such areas.
