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Demographic and Racial Composition Analysis of Old Shandon, Columbia: A White Majority Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Old Shandon, a neighborhood in Columbia, South Carolina, exhibits a "White Majority" demographic composition with 68% of the population identifying as white in 2022. The area has experienced fluctuations in its racial makeup and economic status over the past decade. With a median income of $40,108 in 2022, Old Shandon presents a case study of demographic evolution in a mid-sized Southern city.
Over the past decade, Old Shandon has consistently maintained its status as a "White Majority" neighborhood, though with some fluctuations. In 2013, the white population comprised 73% of the total, peaking at 80% in 2018 before declining to 68% by 2022. This suggests a gradual trend towards increased diversity, though not enough to shift the neighborhood into a different category. The Black population has seen a decrease from 24% in 2013 to 18% in 2022, with fluctuations in between. The Asian population has grown from 2% in 2013 to 9% in 2022, indicating a trend towards greater Asian representation in the neighborhood.
The median income in Old Shandon has shown volatility over the years. Starting from $39,282 in 2013, it dropped to $25,765 in 2014 before beginning a general upward trend. By 2021, it had reached a peak of $53,040, only to decline again to $40,108 in 2022. This economic fluctuation appears to correlate somewhat with demographic shifts. The period of lowest median income (2014-2016) coincides with a slight increase in racial diversity, particularly growth in the Black and Hispanic populations. As the median income began to rise more consistently from 2017 onwards, there was a stabilization of the white majority and a notable increase in the Asian population.
The population of Old Shandon has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 278 and 383 residents over the decade. This suggests that demographic changes are more likely due to resident turnover rather than significant influxes of new residents.
The trends observed in Old Shandon reflect broader patterns seen in many urban neighborhoods across the United States. The gradual increase in diversity, particularly the growth of the Asian population, aligns with national trends of increasing Asian representation in urban areas. The economic volatility experienced in Old Shandon, with sharp drops and subsequent recoveries in median income, may be indicative of broader economic challenges faced by mid-sized cities in the post-2008 recession era. The recovery and subsequent growth in median income from 2017 to 2021 likely reflect the general economic expansion experienced nationally during this period.
The sharp decline in median income from 2021 to 2022 is notable and may be related to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected many communities across the country. Old Shandon maintains its "White Majority" status, but shows signs of gradual diversification, particularly with growth in its Asian population. The neighborhood's economic journey over the past decade reflects both local dynamics and broader national trends, presenting a microcosm of the challenges and changes facing many American urban communities.
