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Demographic Changes in Southeastern Hills: A Study of Racial Composition
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Southeastern Hills neighborhood in Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky, exhibits a "White Majority" community with moderate diversity as of 2022. The white population comprises 56% of the total, with Black (31%) and Hispanic (6%) populations representing significant minorities. Over the past decade, the neighborhood has undergone notable demographic shifts, trending towards increased diversity. The area's median income was $44,037 in 2022, indicating potential economic challenges. Southeastern Hills is characterized by a mix of residential areas and green spaces, providing a suburban atmosphere within the urban county structure.
The neighborhood has transitioned from low to moderate diversity between 2013 and 2022. In 2013, the white population constituted 66% of the total, categorizing the area as having "Low Diversity." By 2022, this percentage decreased to 56%, reclassifying the neighborhood as "Moderate Diversity." Concurrently, the Black population demonstrated a consistent upward trend, increasing from 25% in 2013 to 31% in 2022, contributing significantly to the diversity shift.
The "Two or More Races" category experienced substantial growth, tripling from 2% in 2013 to 6% in 2022. This increase indicates a trend towards greater racial complexity and potentially signals a "Transitional Community." The Hispanic population remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 4-6% throughout the decade, suggesting a consistent presence in the community.
The median income in Southeastern Hills has shown significant fluctuations. It reached a peak of $50,331 in 2015 but subsequently declined to $44,037 in 2022, representing a decrease of approximately 12.5%. Despite these economic challenges, the population grew steadily from 9,403 in 2010 to 10,327 in 2022, an increase of nearly 10%. The period of highest median income (2015-2016) coincided with a higher percentage of white residents (65-68%). As diversity increased, there was a general trend of decreasing median income, which could suggest economic challenges associated with demographic shifts or broader economic factors affecting minority populations more severely.
The demographic shifts in Southeastern Hills align with broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban areas. The growth in the Black population and multi-racial identifications mirrors similar patterns observed in many U.S. cities. The economic downturn experienced in recent years, particularly affecting a diversifying community, may indicate local challenges in economic integration or reflect wider issues of income inequality along racial lines.
The neighborhood's transition towards greater diversity, coupled with economic fluctuations, suggests a community in flux. This evolution may present opportunities for cultural enrichment and challenges in terms of economic equity and community cohesion. Local policymakers and community leaders may need to focus on inclusive economic development strategies to ensure that the benefits of diversity are realized without exacerbating economic disparities.
