Demographic and Economic Trends in Morris Hill: A Study of Racial Composition and Income Fluctuations
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
DATA SOURCE
Morris Hill, a neighborhood in Boise City, Idaho, exhibits characteristics of Low Diversity, with a predominant White population of 79% as of 2022. The neighborhood has experienced fluctuations in its demographic composition and economic status over the past decade. Morris Hill is home to the historic Morris Hill Cemetery.
From 2013 to 2022, Morris Hill has consistently maintained a White Majority status, with the White population ranging from 72% to 86%. The Hispanic population has shown a significant increase, rising from 7% in 2013 to 20% in 2022. The Asian population has fluctuated, peaking at 2% in 2019 but dropping to 0% in recent years. In 2022, a small Black population (1%) emerged for the first time in the recorded data. These changes indicate that while Morris Hill remains predominantly White, it is showing signs of becoming a Transitional Community, particularly with the growth of the Hispanic population.
The median income in Morris Hill has shown considerable volatility over the years. From 2013 to 2017, median income remained relatively stable, ranging from $38,761 to $42,468. A notable decline occurred from 2018 to 2020, with median income dropping to $35,496 in 2020. There was a significant spike to $47,613 in 2021, followed by a sharp decline to $34,885 in 2022. These economic fluctuations correlate with the demographic shifts.
The increase in Hispanic population coincides with periods of lower median income, suggesting potential economic challenges for new immigrant communities. The sharp income rise in 2021 might be associated with an influx of higher-income residents, possibly related to broader economic trends or local development initiatives. The subsequent income decline in 2022 could indicate ongoing economic challenges or demographic changes affecting the neighborhood's overall economic profile.
These trends in Morris Hill reflect broader patterns seen in many American cities. The increasing Hispanic population is consistent with national demographic trends, where Hispanic communities are growing in many urban and suburban areas. The economic volatility, particularly the sharp changes in 2021-2022, may reflect the broader economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath, which affected many communities nationwide. The persistent White Majority status, despite increasing diversity, is common in many neighborhoods in smaller cities, especially in states like Idaho with historically less diverse populations.
Morris Hill is showing early signs of transitioning from a Low Diversity to a potentially more diverse community, primarily driven by Hispanic population growth. This demographic shift is occurring alongside economic volatility, which may present both challenges and opportunities for community development and integration in the coming years.
