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Demographic Analysis of Spray Beach: A Predominantly White Neighborhood with Emerging Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Spray Beach, a neighborhood in North Beach Haven, New Jersey, is a predominantly White community with low diversity based on 2022 data. The population is 187 with a median income of $102,907. Spray Beach is part of Long Beach Island, a summer resort area known for beaches and vacation homes.
Over the past decade, Spray Beach has maintained its status as a White Majority community. From 2013 to 2019, the neighborhood exhibited extremely low diversity, with the White population consistently above 95%. Starting in 2020, the beginnings of a Transitional Community trend emerged. The percentage of residents identifying as Two or More Races increased from 2% in 2019 to 10% in 2020, remaining at 9% through 2022.
The Asian population has shown growth from 0% in 2019 to 4% in 2022, contributing to increasing diversity. By 2022, while still categorized as Low Diversity, the White population decreased to 85%, indicating a trend towards slightly increased racial diversity.
The median income in Spray Beach has fluctuated over the years but generally remained high. From 2013 to 2022, the median income ranged from $92,202 (2017) to $119,852 (2014). The 2022 data shows a median income of $102,907, relatively stable compared to previous years. The slight increase in diversity coincides with a period of relative economic stability, suggesting the community's affluence may be attracting a more diverse, but still wealthy, population.
Population trends show a slight overall increase from 150 in 2013 to 187 in 2022, indicating steady growth despite year-to-year fluctuations.
Spray Beach remains significantly less diverse than New Jersey as a whole. As of 2022, New Jersey's population was approximately 54.6% White, 13.7% Black, 10.4% Asian, and 21.6% Hispanic, categorizing it as a Moderate Diversity or potentially Majority-Minority state.
The median household income in New Jersey in 2022 was about $89,296, indicating that Spray Beach's median income of $102,907 is higher than the state average. This aligns with the neighborhood's status as a desirable coastal community and summer resort area.
The gradual increase in diversity in Spray Beach reflects broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban and coastal areas. However, the pace of change in Spray Beach is slower than in many other parts of New Jersey and the nation, likely due to its small size, high property values, and status as a vacation destination.
In conclusion, Spray Beach remains a predominantly White, affluent community, with early signs of a transition towards slightly greater diversity. This trend, if it continues, may gradually reshape the community's character while maintaining its economic prosperity.
