The median income in Hill City has shown a significant upward trend, particularly in the latter half of the decade. From 2013 to 2017, the median income remained relatively stable, hovering around $42,000. However, from 2018 to 2022, there was a substantial increase, with the median income rising from $44,734 to $58,489, a 30.7% increase over five years.

This economic improvement coincides with the shift back towards a White Majority demographic composition. The correlation suggests that the neighborhood may be experiencing gentrification, with higher-income white residents moving into the area and potentially displacing lower-income minority residents.

Population figures have also shown an upward trend, growing from 999 in 2013 to 1,457 in 2022, a 45.8% increase. This population growth, coupled with rising incomes, indicates increasing attractiveness of the neighborhood, possibly due to urban renewal efforts or economic opportunities in the broader Chattanooga area.

The trends observed in Hill City are consistent with patterns seen in many urban areas across the United States. The process of gentrification, characterized by rising property values, increasing incomes, and demographic shifts, is a common phenomenon in many cities undergoing economic revitalization.

The rapid increase in median income (30.7% over five years) outpaces the national average wage growth, which typically hovers around 2-3% annually. This suggests that Hill City may be experiencing more accelerated economic changes compared to national averages.

The decrease in racial diversity over the latter part of the decade, particularly the decline in the Black population percentage, raises questions about housing affordability and potential displacement of long-term residents. This trend contrasts with many urban areas that are becoming more diverse over time, highlighting the unique dynamics at play in Hill City.

Hill City has undergone significant demographic and economic changes over the past decade, transitioning from a Low Diversity to a Moderate Diversity community and then back to a White Majority status. These shifts, coupled with substantial increases in median income and population, suggest a neighborhood in transition, likely influenced by broader urban renewal and economic development trends in Chattanooga.