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Demographic and Economic Trends in East Deering: A Study of Low Diversity and Increasing Affluence
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
East Deering, a neighborhood in Portland, Maine, is classified as a "Low Diversity" community with a significant white majority of 80% in 2022. The neighborhood has experienced demographic and economic shifts over the past decade. East Deering's proximity to the Eastern Promenade may influence its demographic and economic trends.
From 2013 to 2022, East Deering consistently remained in the "Low Diversity" category, with the white population above 70%. The period from 2013 to 2019 saw a slight increase in diversity, with the white population decreasing from 70% to 75%, and increases in Asian and Black populations. However, from 2019 to 2022, this trend reversed, with the white population increasing from 75% to 80%. The Black population fluctuated significantly, from 17% in 2013 to 4% in 2018, before stabilizing around 12% in recent years. The Asian population showed gradual growth from 2% in 2013 to 5% in 2022, peaking at 10% in 2019.
The median income in East Deering has shown significant growth over the past decade. From 2013 to 2019, median income remained relatively stable, fluctuating between $53,149 and $59,336. A sharp increase occurred from 2019 to 2021, with median income rising from $59,336 to $73,966, a 24.7% increase in two years. There was a slight decrease in 2022 to $67,427, but still significantly higher than pre-2020 levels. The population has remained relatively stable, with minor fluctuations between 3,400 and 3,800 residents throughout the period.
The period of slightly increasing diversity (2013-2019) coincided with relatively stable median incomes. The sharp increase in median income (2019-2021) occurred simultaneously with a decrease in diversity, particularly an increase in the white population and decrease in the Black population. The recent stabilization of the Black population around 12-14% (2020-2022) coincides with the period of highest median incomes.
The increasing median income in East Deering aligns with national trends of economic recovery and growth following the 2008 recession, particularly accelerating in the late 2010s. The fluctuation in diversity, particularly the recent trend towards decreased diversity, may contrast with national trends of increasing diversity in many urban areas. The sharp income increase in 2020-2021 could be related to broader economic shifts during the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw increased remote work opportunities and migration patterns that benefited some suburban and smaller urban areas.
East Deering presents a case of a predominantly white, increasingly affluent neighborhood that has experienced periods of both increasing and decreasing diversity over the past decade. The recent trend towards higher incomes and slightly decreased diversity suggests potential gentrification or changing neighborhood dynamics that may be reshaping the community's demographic and economic landscape.
