Loading Content...
Demographic Analysis of Wachovia Highlands: A Black Majority Neighborhood in Winston-Salem
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Wachovia Highlands, a neighborhood in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, presents a demographic profile categorized as a "Black Majority" community. As of 2022, the Black population constitutes 58% of the neighborhood's residents. The median income is $26,895 and the population is 1,239. Wachovia Highlands has undergone demographic and economic changes over the past decade. The neighborhood shares its name with the former Wachovia Bank, once headquartered in Winston-Salem before being acquired by Wells Fargo in 2008.
Over the past decade, Wachovia Highlands has experienced transitions in its racial composition. In 2013, the neighborhood was categorized as a "Black Majority" with 53% of the population being Black. From 2015 to 2019, the community transitioned to a "Moderate Diversity" status, with representation from Black, Hispanic, and White populations. The Hispanic population increased, reaching 44% in 2019. By 2020, the community reverted to a "Black Majority" status, which has continued through 2022.
These shifts could be attributed to factors such as changing housing patterns, economic opportunities, or broader demographic trends in the Winston-Salem area. The temporary surge in Hispanic population might have been due to specific employment opportunities or community initiatives that attracted this demographic group for a period.
The demographic shifts in Wachovia Highlands correlate with changes in median income. From 2013 to 2022, the median income increased from $17,047 to $26,895, representing a growth of about 58%. This economic improvement coincided with the period of increased diversity in the neighborhood. The population has grown from 979 in 2013 to 1,239 in 2022. The peak in population (1,404) and median income ($28,180) in 2021 coincided with a more balanced racial distribution.
The demographic shifts in Wachovia Highlands reflect broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas. The temporary surge in Hispanic population from 2015 to 2019 aligns with national patterns of growing Hispanic communities in various parts of the United States. The median income growth in Wachovia Highlands places the neighborhood below the national median household income, which was around $70,784 in 2021.
Wachovia Highlands has demonstrated a dynamic demographic profile over the past decade, transitioning through periods of moderate diversity before settling into its current status as a Black Majority community. These demographic shifts have been accompanied by economic improvements, though the neighborhood still faces challenges in reaching parity with national income levels. The community's ability to attract a diverse population, even temporarily, may be an indicator for future growth and development.
