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Demographic and Racial Changes in Oak Forrest, Jonesboro: A Study of Neighborhood Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Oak Forrest, a neighborhood in Jonesboro, Arkansas, has experienced significant demographic changes over the past decade. As of 2022, Oak Forrest is categorized as a "Moderate Diversity" area with a white majority (67%) and a substantial Black population (25%). The neighborhood has a median income of $108,262 in 2022, indicating its affluent status within Jonesboro. These demographic and economic characteristics make Oak Forrest a notable case study for examining shifts in smaller Arkansas cities.
Oak Forrest has transitioned from a "Low Diversity" community to a "Moderate Diversity" one over the past decade. In 2013, the neighborhood was predominantly white (89%). From 2014 to 2019, the white population increased to 95%. A significant shift occurred between 2020 and 2022, with the Black population growing from 1% in 2020 to 25% in 2022, while the white population decreased from 92% to 67%.
The demographic shifts coincide with changes in median income. From 2013 to 2018, when the neighborhood was predominantly white, the median income rose from $124,541 to $148,240, peaking in 2018. As racial diversity increased from 2020 to 2022, there was a drop in median income, falling to $94,945 in 2021 before recovering to $108,262 in 2022.
The demographic shift in Oak Forrest is notable when compared to broader trends. Many U.S. cities have been experiencing increasing diversity, but the rapid nature of Oak Forrest's change is unusual. The decrease in median income during this transition period might reflect economic challenges faced by new residents or changes in the local economy.
Oak Forrest's median income remains above the national median, suggesting it remains an affluent area even as it becomes more diverse. This could indicate that Oak Forrest is attracting middle to upper-class diverse residents, possibly professionals or families seeking opportunities in Jonesboro.
The neighborhood's evolution from "Low Diversity" to "Moderate Diversity" in a short time frame, coupled with its economic fluctuations, presents a microcosm of the challenges and opportunities that come with rapid demographic change in smaller American cities.
