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Demographic and Economic Analysis of Sharon Line-McGuffey Heights: A Black Plurality Neighborhood in Transition
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Sharon Line-McGuffey Heights neighborhood in Youngstown, Ohio, is characterized as a Black Plurality community with moderate diversity as of 2022. The Black population comprises 50% of residents, while the White population represents 39%. The neighborhood's median income in 2022 was $25,817, which is below the national average. This area has historical connections to the steel industry, which previously dominated Youngstown's economy.
Over the past decade, Sharon Line-McGuffey Heights has transitioned from a Black Majority community to a Black Plurality with increasing diversity. In 2013, the Black population constituted 58% of the total, decreasing to 50% by 2022. The White population increased from 28% in 2013 to 39% in 2022. The Hispanic population fluctuated, peaking at 15% in 2017 and settling at 8% by 2022. The percentage of residents identifying as two or more races increased from 3% in 2013 to 6% in 2021, but dropped to 1% in 2022.
The neighborhood's economic trajectory has been volatile. Median income increased from $19,417 in 2013 to $33,702 in 2019, representing a 73% rise. However, income dropped to $25,817 in 2022, a 23% decrease from the 2019 peak. The population decreased from 2,410 in 2013 to 1,980 in 2022, a 17.8% reduction.
The demographic shifts in Sharon Line-McGuffey Heights reflect broader trends seen in many post-industrial Midwest cities. The area has experienced population decline and economic challenges following the decline of traditional manufacturing industries. The increase in diversity, particularly the growing White population percentage, may be part of a larger trend of urban revitalization efforts seen in many Rust Belt cities.
Nationally, many urban areas have seen increasing diversity and some degree of gentrification over the past decade. However, the sharp income decline in recent years in this neighborhood contrasts with national trends of gradual income growth, highlighting the persistent economic challenges faced by some post-industrial urban areas.
Sharon Line-McGuffey Heights presents a complex picture of a neighborhood in transition, moving towards greater racial balance but still facing significant economic hurdles. The interplay between demographic shifts and economic volatility underscores the challenges and opportunities in revitalizing post-industrial urban neighborhoods.
