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Demographic and Economic Trends in Red Creek: A Study of Racial Composition and Income Fluctuations
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Red Creek, a neighborhood in Semmes, Alabama, is characterized as a "Low Diversity" community with a "White Majority" as of 2022. The neighborhood's population reached 1,195 residents in 2022, showing modest growth over the past decade. Red Creek has experienced fluctuations in median income, with a notable decline in recent years. The neighborhood is known for its rural charm and proximity to Mobile.
Over the past decade, Red Creek has maintained its status as a "White Majority" community. From 2013 to 2019, the neighborhood showed signs of moving towards "Moderate Diversity" with an increase in the Black population and the emergence of a small Hispanic population. A shift occurred in 2020-2021, where the community reverted to "Low Diversity" with the White population increasing to 87% in 2020 and 86% in 2021. In 2022, there was another shift towards slightly increased diversity, with the Black population rising to 21% and the introduction of a small "Two or More Races" category at 4%, while maintaining a "White Majority" at 74%.
The economic landscape of Red Creek has shown significant volatility. Median income peaked in 2017 at $61,037 but has since experienced a downward trend. The most dramatic decline occurred between 2019 and 2020, with median income dropping from $54,958 to $48,017, coinciding with the demographic shift towards increased homogeneity. Despite a brief recovery in 2021, the median income fell again to $47,564 in 2022, the lowest in the recorded period.
These economic fluctuations appear to correlate with demographic changes. The period of increasing diversity (2013-2019) saw a general upward trend in median income, while the shift back to lower diversity coincided with economic decline.
The demographic and economic trends in Red Creek reflect some broader national patterns. The brief increase in diversity from 2013-2019 aligns with national trends of increasing racial diversity in suburban and rural areas. The economic downturn in 2020 likely reflects the widespread impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected communities across the United States. The subsequent volatility in both demographics and economics might indicate local factors at play, such as changes in local industry or housing market dynamics.
Red Creek presents a case of a community that has experienced fluctuations in diversity but has largely maintained its status as a predominantly White, low-diversity area. The economic challenges faced in recent years, particularly the declining median income, suggest that the neighborhood may be experiencing broader structural changes that could influence its demographic composition in the future. The correlation between periods of increased diversity and higher median incomes, followed by decreased diversity and lower incomes, raises questions about the interplay between demographic composition and economic prosperity in small communities like Red Creek.
