Loading Content...
Demographic Composition and Racial Trends in Forest Park East, Columbus, Ohio
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Forest Park East, a neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio, currently exhibits a Black Majority demographic composition with a median income of $44,639 as of 2022. The neighborhood falls under the "Moderate Diversity" category, with significant representation from Black (52%), White (24%), and Hispanic (12%) populations. The neighborhood's population increased from 16,669 in 2010 to 20,354 in 2022, suggesting notable development and change.
Forest Park East has undergone a significant demographic transition over the past decade. In 2013, the earliest year with complete racial data, the neighborhood was categorized as a "Black Majority" with 51% of the population identifying as Black. This majority status has been maintained throughout the decade, though with some fluctuations.
The most notable shift has been the increase in Asian population, from 2% in 2013 to a peak of 16% in 2019, before settling at 9% in 2022. This trend suggests a period of "Transitional Community" status, particularly between 2016 and 2020, as the Asian population grew significantly.
The White population has decreased from 31% in 2013 to 24% in 2022, while the Hispanic population has grown from 7% to 12% over the same period. These changes have contributed to the neighborhood's transition from "Low Diversity" to "Moderate Diversity" over the decade.
The median income in Forest Park East has shown a general upward trend, rising from $40,182 in 2013 to $44,639 in 2022, an increase of about 11%. This growth has not been steady, with fluctuations throughout the period. There was a significant jump in median income between 2015 and 2016, coinciding with the beginning of the more rapid demographic shifts.
The population growth from 17,594 in 2013 to 20,354 in 2022 (an increase of about 15.7%) suggests that the neighborhood has become increasingly attractive to new residents. This growth, coupled with the changing racial composition and rising median income, indicates a neighborhood in transition, possibly experiencing gentrification or urban renewal.
The demographic shifts in Forest Park East reflect broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States, where increasing diversity and changing racial compositions are common. The growth in the Asian and Hispanic populations aligns with national trends of increasing diversity in metropolitan areas.
The modest increase in median income (11% over a decade) is somewhat lower than the national average growth in median household income, which was about 18% between 2010 and 2020 according to U.S. Census Bureau data. This suggests that while Forest Park East is experiencing economic growth, it may be lagging slightly behind the national average.
The maintained Black Majority status of Forest Park East, despite increasing diversity, is notable and somewhat contrasts with trends in some other urban areas where historically Black neighborhoods have experienced more dramatic demographic shifts due to gentrification.
Forest Park East presents a picture of a neighborhood in transition, maintaining its Black Majority status while becoming more diverse and experiencing moderate economic growth. These changes likely bring both opportunities and challenges for long-time residents and newcomers alike, as the community adapts to its evolving demographic and economic landscape.
