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Demographic and Economic Trends in Palmers Crossing: A Study of Racial Composition and Income Changes
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Palmers Crossing, a neighborhood in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, currently represents a community with Moderate Diversity. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a Black plurality (49%) with a significant White population (48%), reflecting a nearly balanced racial composition. The median income of $51,661 in 2022 marks an increase from previous years. Palmers Crossing has historically been known as a predominantly African American community that has gradually become more diverse over time.
Over the past decade, Palmers Crossing has undergone a transition in its racial composition. In 2013, the neighborhood exhibited a Black Majority (52%), with Whites comprising 45% of the population. By 2019, the community had shifted to a White Majority (55%), with the Black population decreasing to 42%. By 2022, the neighborhood returned to a more balanced state with a Black Plurality (49%) and nearly equal White representation (48%). These fluctuations suggest a dynamic community experiencing ongoing demographic changes.
The median income in Palmers Crossing has shown volatility over the past decade. From 2013 to 2019, there was a general upward trend, with median income rising from $35,236 to $46,404. 2020 saw a decline to $34,757. The median income rebounded in 2022, reaching $51,661, the highest level in the observed period. These economic changes appear to correlate with the demographic shifts. The period of increasing diversity and the shift towards a White Majority coincided with rising median incomes from 2013 to 2019. The recent return to a more balanced racial composition in 2022 aligns with the increase in median income.
The demographic changes in Palmers Crossing reflect broader trends of increasing diversity in many American communities. The fluctuations between majority status for different racial groups and the return to a more balanced composition are somewhat unique. This pattern might indicate a community that is responsive to local economic and social factors.
The recent increase in median income to $51,661 in 2022 is notable, considering the national median household income was around $70,784 in 2021. While still below the national average, this represents a closing of the gap and suggests that Palmers Crossing may be experiencing faster economic growth than many other areas.
The population growth from 2,773 in 2010 to 3,649 in 2022 indicates that Palmers Crossing is an attractive area for new residents. This growth, combined with increasing diversity and rising incomes, suggests a neighborhood that is evolving in terms of both economic opportunity and cultural richness.
Palmers Crossing presents a case study of a neighborhood in transition, balancing demographic shifts with economic progress. Its journey from a predominantly Black community to one of Moderate Diversity, coupled with income improvements, reflects the interplay of racial and economic factors shaping many American neighborhoods today.
