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Demographic Evolution of Altemesa East: From Black Majority to Balanced Black-Hispanic Community
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Altemesa East neighborhood in Forest Hill, Texas, exhibits a demographic profile characterized as a "Majority-Minority" community with "Moderate Diversity." As of 2022, the neighborhood's population is 5,754, with a median income of $45,554. This area has transitioned from a predominantly Black community to one with a more balanced representation of Black and Hispanic residents over the past decade.
In 2013, Altemesa East was classified as having a "Black Majority," with 61% of the population identifying as Black. Over the next decade, the neighborhood transformed into a "Majority-Minority" community by 2018. This shift was driven by an increase in the Hispanic population, which grew from 30% in 2013 to 51% in 2018, while the Black population decreased from 61% to 42% during the same period.
The community has maintained its "Majority-Minority" status since 2018, with a near-equal distribution between Black and Hispanic residents. As of 2022, the neighborhood exhibits "Moderate Diversity," with Black residents at 43% and Hispanic residents at 49%. This demographic evolution reflects a broader trend of increasing diversity in many urban and suburban areas across the United States.
The demographic shifts in Altemesa East have been accompanied by fluctuations in median income. In 2013, when the Black population was at its peak, the median income was $39,807. As the Hispanic population grew and the community transitioned to a "Majority-Minority" status, there was a general upward trend in median income, reaching a peak of $61,966 in 2020. However, the following years saw a decline, with the median income dropping to $45,554 in 2022.
This economic volatility could be attributed to various factors, including changes in local industries, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and potentially, shifts in the types of jobs available to the changing demographic makeup of the community.
The demographic evolution of Altemesa East mirrors broader trends seen in many Texas cities and suburbs, where Hispanic populations have been growing rapidly. This shift is part of a larger national trend of increasing diversity in urban and suburban areas, particularly in the Southern and Western United States.
The economic fluctuations observed in Altemesa East, particularly the sharp rise and subsequent fall in median income between 2020 and 2022, likely reflect the broader economic upheavals caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many communities across the nation experienced similar economic volatility during this period.
Altemesa East has transformed from a predominantly Black community to a more diverse "Majority-Minority" neighborhood over the past decade. This demographic shift has been accompanied by economic changes, reflecting both local dynamics and broader national trends. The neighborhood's evolution highlights the interplay between racial demographics and economic factors in shaping community characteristics and challenges.
