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Demographic Analysis of West Raleigh: A White Majority Neighborhood with Increasing Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
West Raleigh, a neighborhood in Raleigh, North Carolina, exhibits a White Majority demographic profile with a median income of $62,641 as of 2022. The area has maintained its White Majority status throughout the observed period, though with notable shifts in its racial composition. West Raleigh is located near North Carolina State University, which likely influences its demographic makeup and economic characteristics.
West Raleigh has consistently maintained a White Majority status from 2013 to 2022, with the white population comprising 54-56% of residents. The Asian population increased from 7% in 2013 to 10% in 2019-2020, before slightly decreasing to 8% in 2022. The Black population remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 18-20%. The Hispanic population showed a gradual decline from 16% in 2013 to 12% in 2022.
While not meeting the criteria for High Diversity, West Raleigh shows characteristics of Moderate Diversity. Three racial groups (White, Black, and Hispanic) consistently maintain significant representation (over 10% each), with Asians approaching this threshold in recent years. There is evidence of West Raleigh being a Transitional Community, particularly with the growth in the Asian population and the increase in those identifying as two or more races (from 1% in 2013 to 3% in 2022).
The median income in West Raleigh has shown substantial growth, increasing from $48,058 in 2013 to $62,641 in 2022, representing a 30.3% increase over nine years. The population grew from 42,602 in 2013 to a peak of 47,155 in 2018, before declining to 44,402 in 2022. This trend might suggest changing housing preferences or economic factors influencing residency.
The period of highest population growth (2013-2018) coincided with increases in Asian and multi-racial populations, suggesting these groups may have contributed to the neighborhood's expansion. The slight decrease in diversity (particularly Hispanic population) in recent years correlates with a decline in overall population but an increase in median income, possibly indicating gentrification processes.
The presence of NC State University likely contributes to the area's diversity and relatively young, educated population, which is common in university-adjacent neighborhoods. Raleigh is part of the Research Triangle, a major technology and research hub. The increase in median income and Asian population could reflect the growth of tech industries attracting skilled workers, mirroring trends seen in other tech-centric cities.
The increase in residents identifying as two or more races aligns with national trends, as the U.S. becomes more diverse and multiracial identities become more common. The combination of rising incomes, slight population decline, and decreasing diversity in recent years mirrors gentrification patterns seen in many urban areas across the U.S., where historically diverse neighborhoods experience economic uplift but potential displacement of some minority communities.
West Raleigh presents a picture of a moderately diverse, economically growing neighborhood that maintains a White Majority status while experiencing subtle but significant demographic shifts. These changes likely reflect broader trends in education, technology sector growth, and urban development patterns seen across many U.S. cities.
