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Demographic and Racial Shifts in Crooked Creek, Durham: From Moderate Diversity to Black Plurality
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Crooked Creek neighborhood in Durham, North Carolina, exhibits characteristics of a Moderate Diversity community with a Black Plurality as of 2022. The neighborhood has a population of 3,349 and a median income of $57,049. Crooked Creek has undergone significant demographic changes over the past decade, transitioning from a more economically affluent and racially balanced area to one with increasing diversity and economic challenges.
In 2013, Crooked Creek was categorized as having Moderate Diversity with a slight White Plurality (44% White, 37% Black). From 2015 to 2017, it shifted to a Black Plurality, with the Black population reaching 49% in 2017. By 2018, it became a Majority-Minority community, with the White population dropping to 33%. The most recent data (2022) indicates a trend towards High Diversity, with significant increases in Hispanic population (21%) and continued decrease in White population (26%).
The demographic shifts correlate with changes in median income. From 2013 to 2017, median income rose from $62,169 to $68,377, coinciding with the period of Black Plurality. As the community became more diverse from 2018 onwards, median income began to decline, reaching $57,049 in 2022. The population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 2,800 and 3,500 residents throughout the decade.
The trends observed in Crooked Creek align with broader patterns seen in many urban areas across the United States. The increase in Hispanic population reflects national trends of growing Hispanic communities in urban areas. The decline in the White population percentage is consistent with the "White flight" phenomenon observed in many changing urban neighborhoods. The economic downturn coinciding with increased diversity is a complex issue seen in various transitioning communities, often related to shifts in local job markets, housing affordability, and socio-economic disparities among racial groups.
Crooked Creek exemplifies a neighborhood in transition, moving from a moderately diverse, economically stable community to one of high diversity with emerging economic challenges. This transition presents opportunities for cultural enrichment and challenges in maintaining economic stability and community cohesion. Local policymakers and community leaders may need to focus on inclusive economic development strategies to ensure that increasing diversity translates into shared prosperity for all residents.
