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Demographic and Racial Shifts in Sherwood Forest, Columbia: A Study of Neighborhood Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Sherwood Forest, a neighborhood in Columbia, South Carolina, currently exhibits a Moderate Diversity profile with a Black Plurality. As of 2022, the Black population constitutes 42% of the neighborhood, while the White population accounts for 44%. The median income is $70,955, indicating a middle-class suburban area. The neighborhood shares its name with the legendary home of Robin Hood.
Over the past decade, Sherwood Forest has undergone a transformation in its racial composition. In 2013, the neighborhood was characterized by a White Plurality (49%) with a significant Black population (42%). By 2022, this dynamic shifted to a more balanced Moderate Diversity profile, with the Black and White populations nearly equal. The Hispanic population experienced growth, rising from 5% in 2013 to a peak of 18% in 2018, before settling at 8% in 2022. The Asian population has maintained a consistent presence since 2016. The "two or more races" category increased to 4% in 2022, up from 1% in earlier years.
The demographic shifts in Sherwood Forest correlate with changes in median income. From 2013 to 2022, the median income increased from $47,759 to $70,955, a 48.6% rise. This growth was not linear, with a significant spike occurring in 2019, when median income reached $84,730, before moderating in subsequent years. The population has shown volatility, peaking at 2,568 in 2011 and declining to 1,489 by 2022. This population decrease, coupled with rising incomes, may suggest a gentrification process or a shift towards smaller, more affluent households.
The demographic changes in Sherwood Forest reflect broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban areas. The growth in the Hispanic population aligns with national patterns of Hispanic population growth in various regions. The increase in median income outpaces national averages, suggesting that Sherwood Forest may be experiencing more rapid economic changes than many similar neighborhoods across the country. This could indicate broader economic developments in Columbia or the influx of higher-income residents.
The decline in population contrasts with the growth seen in many suburban areas nationally. This trend might be related to local factors such as housing market changes, urban planning decisions, or shifts in the local economy of Columbia.
Sherwood Forest has evolved from a neighborhood with a White Plurality to one of Moderate Diversity with a nearly balanced Black and White population. This demographic shift has been accompanied by economic growth, as evidenced by the rising median income. These changes suggest a neighborhood in transition, potentially becoming more attractive to a diverse, affluent population while experiencing some degree of population turnover or displacement.
