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Demographic and Racial Trends in Fernway, Shaker Heights: A Study of Neighborhood Evolution
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Fernway, a neighborhood in Shaker Heights, Ohio, exhibits moderate diversity with a white majority as of 2022. The community comprises 66% white, 18% black, and 5% Hispanic populations. Fernway's median income in 2022 was $140,630, indicating an affluent suburban area. Shaker Heights is known for its planned integration efforts, making Fernway's demographic changes significant in the context of intentional community design.
Over the past decade, Fernway has experienced demographic shifts. In 2013, the neighborhood had a 61% white majority. By 2022, while maintaining a white majority, the community's diversity increased. The black population decreased from 30% to 18%, the Hispanic population increased from 2% to 5%, and the proportion of residents identifying as two or more races rose from 2% to 5%. These changes suggest a transition towards increased diversity, though still predominantly white.
The demographic shifts correlate with economic changes. Median income increased from $121,042 in 2013 to $140,630 in 2022, a 16% rise. This income growth coincides with the decrease in the black population and increases in white, Hispanic, and multiracial populations. Despite income growth, the population decreased from 3,154 in 2013 to 2,932 in 2022, potentially indicating larger, wealthier households replacing smaller ones.
Fernway's trends reflect broader national patterns of suburbanization and gentrification, with some unique aspects. The increase in diversity, particularly Hispanic and multiracial populations, aligns with national demographic trends towards increased minority representation in suburbs. However, the decrease in the black population contrasts with many urban areas experiencing increased African American suburban migration. The substantial income growth surpasses national averages, indicating Fernway's growing attractiveness to high-income residents. The community's evolution appears to be a nuanced version of the "transitional community" category, with gradual shifts towards increased diversity coupled with significant economic uplift.
Fernway represents a case of a historically integrated, affluent suburb experiencing subtle demographic shifts within a framework of increasing prosperity. The neighborhood's changes reflect both broader national trends and the unique history and policies of Shaker Heights, resulting in a gradually evolving community profile that maintains its white majority status while slowly increasing in diversity and affluence.
