Demographic and Economic Trends in Swann's Mill: A Black Majority Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
DATA SOURCE
Swann's Mill, a neighborhood in Durham, North Carolina, is characterized as a Black Majority community with a median income of $86,289 as of 2022. The neighborhood experienced significant population growth, increasing from 1,376 residents in 2019 to 2,390 in 2022. This growth suggests that Swann's Mill may be an emerging or redeveloping area within Durham.
Over the past decade, Swann's Mill has maintained its status as a Black Majority community. The Black population comprised 77% of the neighborhood in 2013 and 82% in 2022. Other racial demographics have shown shifts. The Hispanic population increased from 4% in 2013 to 19% in 2018, before declining to 5% in 2022. The white population fluctuated, growing from 7% in 2013 to 17% in 2019, then decreasing to 9% in 2022. The Asian population, while historically small, reached 4% in 2022.
The median income in Swann's Mill has shown an upward trend, increasing from $65,570 in 2013 to $86,289 in 2022, representing a 31.6% growth over nine years. This increase correlates with the neighborhood's population growth, suggesting economic development and potential gentrification processes.
The most significant changes occurred between 2019 and 2020, when the population nearly doubled from 1,376 to 2,522 and median income increased from $68,471 to $81,743. This shift coincided with an increase in the Black majority from 65% to 83% and a decrease in the Hispanic population from 16% to 1%.
The economic growth in Swann's Mill outpaces the national average. The U.S. median household income grew from $53,657 in 2014 to $70,784 in 2021, an increase of about 32% over seven years. Swann's Mill achieved similar growth in a shorter period, indicating robust local economic development.
The maintenance of a strong Black majority in Swann's Mill, even as incomes rise significantly, is notable. Many urban areas experiencing rapid economic growth often see a decrease in minority populations due to gentrification. Swann's Mill's ability to maintain its racial composition while experiencing economic growth could indicate successful inclusive development policies or strong community cohesion.
The fluctuations in the Hispanic population, particularly the rise and subsequent decline, could be related to broader immigration trends or changes in local employment opportunities. The recent increase in the Asian population, while small, might signal the beginning of a new demographic trend.
Swann's Mill presents a case of a Black Majority community experiencing significant economic growth while largely maintaining its racial composition. The neighborhood has shown resilience to dramatic demographic shifts that often accompany rapid economic development, suggesting a unique interplay of local factors.
