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Demographic and Racial Shifts in North Central, Raleigh: From Black Majority to White Majority Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
North Central, a neighborhood in Raleigh, North Carolina, has undergone significant demographic and economic changes from 2013 to 2022. The area transitioned from a Black majority neighborhood to a White majority community. In 2013, North Central was categorized as a "Black Majority" area, with 55% of the population identifying as Black. By 2018, it had transitioned to a "Moderate Diversity" status, with Black and White populations each representing about 45% of the total. In 2022, the area became a "White Majority" community, with 58% of residents identifying as White.
The demographic changes in North Central correlate with significant economic shifts. In 2013, the median income was $36,931. By 2022, it had increased to $99,284, representing a 169% increase over nine years. This substantial rise in median income suggests a significant change in the socioeconomic status of the neighborhood's residents.
The Hispanic population also grew during this period, from 2% in 2013 to 9% in 2022, indicating a trend towards increased diversity despite the overall shift to a White majority. The population of the neighborhood remained relatively stable throughout this period, fluctuating between about 5,500 and 6,100 residents.
The changes observed in North Central reflect broader trends of urban gentrification seen in many U.S. cities. The rapid increase in median income and shift in racial demographics are often indicators of neighborhood gentrification, where lower-income residents are displaced by higher-income newcomers.
This trend is notable given Raleigh's status as part of the Research Triangle, an area known for its technology and research industries. The proximity to North Carolina State University might have contributed to the influx of higher-income, potentially more educated residents, changing the neighborhood's character.
The stability in population size, combined with significant demographic and economic changes, suggests that the shift was primarily due to replacement of existing residents rather than a large influx of new residents. North Central has undergone a significant transformation over the past decade, transitioning from a predominantly Black, lower-income neighborhood to a White-majority area with substantially higher median incomes. This change exemplifies the interplay between racial demographics and economic factors in urban neighborhoods, reflecting broader trends of gentrification and urban transformation seen in many growing U.S. cities.
