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Demographic Analysis of West Highlands: A Study of Racial Composition and Economic Trends
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
West Highlands, a neighborhood in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is characterized as a "White Majority" community with moderate diversity. In 2022, the white population comprised 77% of the neighborhood, with Black (19%) and Asian (2%) minorities. The median income was $67,049 in 2022, indicating a relatively affluent area. West Highlands is known for its historic charm, featuring many well-preserved early 20th-century homes.
Over the past decade, West Highlands has maintained its status as a "White Majority" community, with fluctuations in diversity. From 2013 to 2019, the neighborhood experienced a period of "Moderate Diversity," with the Black population reaching 23% in 2019. Post-2019, there was a slight reversal towards less diversity, with the white population increasing from 72% to 77% by 2022. The Hispanic population decreased from 5% in 2013 to 1% in 2022. The Asian population showed stability and slight growth, from 0% in 2014 to 2% in 2022.
The economic trajectory of West Highlands shows correlations with its demographic shifts. Median income rose from $59,056 in 2013 to $74,817 in 2018, coinciding with the period of highest diversity. Post-2018, as diversity slightly decreased, median income moderated, settling at $67,049 in 2022. The population remained relatively stable, with a slight overall decrease from 1,315 in 2013 to 1,266 in 2022, suggesting a mature, established neighborhood.
The median household income in West Highlands ($67,049 in 2022) is likely above the national average, which was around $70,784 in 2021. The neighborhood's racial composition, while predominantly white, is more diverse than many suburban areas in the United States, reflecting broader national trends towards increasing diversity in traditionally homogeneous communities. The slight reversal in diversity trends post-2019 could be part of a larger national pattern of demographic shifts influenced by factors such as changing housing preferences, economic opportunities, or societal changes accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
West Highlands presents a picture of a relatively affluent, predominantly white neighborhood that has experienced fluctuations in diversity and economic prosperity over the past decade. It has maintained its "White Majority" status, but the community has shown periods of increased diversity, particularly between 2013 and 2019, which correlated with economic growth. The recent slight reversal in diversity trends, coupled with a moderation in median income, suggests ongoing demographic and economic dynamics that may continue to shape the neighborhood's character in the coming years.
