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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Southern Heights, a neighborhood in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, exhibits moderate diversity as of 2022. The area has a slight white majority (50%) with a significant Black population (38%). The median income in 2022 was $23,401, showing fluctuations over the past decade. The neighborhood has maintained relatively stable population levels despite economic challenges.
Over the past decade, Southern Heights has experienced notable transitions in racial composition. In 2013, the neighborhood had moderate diversity with a slight white plurality (48%) and a significant Black population (43%). From 2014 to 2021, the area alternated between Black plurality and moderate diversity. The 2022 data shows a return to a white plurality at 50%.
The neighborhood has consistently maintained a balance that prevents low diversity categorization. The increasing presence of Asian residents (from 1% in 2013 to 5% in 2022) and growth in the two or more races category (from 0% to 4%) indicate a trend towards increasing diversity. This trend potentially classifies Southern Heights as a transitional community.
The economic landscape of Southern Heights has been characterized by volatility in median income from 2013 to 2022. Notable increases occurred in 2019 ($26,504) and 2021 ($27,591), followed by decreases. This economic instability coincides with shifts in racial demographics, suggesting a potential correlation. Periods of higher diversity often corresponded with lower median incomes, while years with higher white populations tended to see slightly higher median incomes.
The population of Southern Heights has generally declined over the decade, from 4,541 in 2013 to 4,260 in 2022, with some fluctuations. This modest population decrease, coupled with income volatility, may reflect broader economic challenges in the area.
Southern Heights' demographic evolution reflects broader national trends towards increasing diversity, particularly in urban and suburban areas. The growth in Asian population and multiracial residents aligns with national patterns of increasing diversity in many U.S. cities. The economic volatility experienced in Southern Heights may be more pronounced than national averages. The resilience of the neighborhood's population, despite economic challenges, is noteworthy.
Southern Heights presents a picture of a community in transition, balancing between different racial pluralities while grappling with economic challenges. The neighborhood's journey towards increased diversity, coupled with its economic fluctuations, offers a microcosm of the complex interplay between demographic change and economic stability in American communities.
