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Demographic and Economic Analysis of Monticello Park: A Predominantly African American Neighborhood in Winston-Salem
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Monticello Park, located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, exhibits a Low Diversity demographic profile with a Black Majority of 81% as of 2022. The neighborhood has experienced economic fluctuations over the past decade, with median income increasing from $29,019 in 2014 to $55,346 in 2022. This predominantly African American community has maintained its character while navigating economic challenges and opportunities.
Monticello Park has consistently maintained its status as a Black Majority neighborhood from 2013 to 2022. During 2013-2016, the neighborhood exhibited extremely Low Diversity with the Black population comprising 87-88% of residents. From 2017-2019, a slight trend towards Moderate Diversity emerged, with the Black population decreasing to 74% by 2019 and the White population increasing from 3% to 15%. In 2020-2022, a reversal occurred, returning to Low Diversity as the Black population increased to 81% and the White population decreased to 11%.
The neighborhood's economic trajectory has been marked by growth and volatility. From 2013-2016, median income fluctuated between $29,019 and $31,271, indicating economic stagnation. During 2017-2019, a period of rapid growth saw median income rise from $40,803 to $60,796, coinciding with the slight increase in diversity. From 2020-2022, income levels stabilized around $55,000-$59,000, showing some resilience despite broader economic challenges.
The correlation between increased diversity (2017-2019) and rising incomes suggests that economic opportunities may have briefly attracted a more diverse population. However, the subsequent return to lower diversity levels while maintaining higher incomes indicates that the economic benefits have been retained primarily by the existing Black majority community.
The persistent Black Majority status of Monticello Park is noteworthy in the context of Winston-Salem, a city known for its efforts to address historical racial segregation. While the city as a whole has become more diverse over time, Monticello Park has maintained its strong African American identity. This suggests that the neighborhood may play a significant role in preserving Black cultural heritage within the broader urban fabric of Winston-Salem.
The economic growth experienced by Monticello Park, particularly the sharp increase in median income between 2017 and 2019, outpaced national trends. During this period, the U.S. median household income grew by about 8.5%, while Monticello Park saw an increase of nearly 49%. This growth could be attributed to local economic development initiatives or the influx of higher-income residents within the Black community.
Monticello Park presents a case of a predominantly African American neighborhood that has maintained its demographic character while experiencing significant economic improvements. The community's ability to retain its cultural identity while benefiting from economic growth could serve as a model for sustainable community development in historically marginalized areas.
