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Demographic Evolution of Cheltenham: From Moderate Diversity to White Majority (2013-2022)
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Cheltenham, a neighborhood in St. Louis, Missouri, currently exhibits a White Majority demographic composition with 72% of the population identifying as white in 2022. The neighborhood has experienced significant demographic and economic fluctuations over the past decade, transitioning from a Moderate Diversity community to its current state. Cheltenham is known for its historic significance as a former working-class neighborhood that has undergone substantial gentrification in recent years.
In 2013, Cheltenham displayed Moderate Diversity, with a white majority (67%) and significant black (17%) and Asian (7%) populations. Over the next few years, the neighborhood experienced a notable shift towards increased diversity. By 2016-2018, it could be categorized as High Diversity, with the Asian population growing to 25-27% and the white population decreasing to around 60%. This period marked the peak of racial diversity in the neighborhood.
From 2019 onwards, there has been a reversal of this trend. The neighborhood has gradually shifted back towards a White Majority status, with the white population increasing to 72% by 2022. This transition suggests a potential gentrification process, where the neighborhood's character and demographics have changed significantly over a relatively short period.
The demographic shifts in Cheltenham correlate with changes in median income. As the neighborhood transitioned to High Diversity between 2014 and 2018, there was an increase in median income from $56,765 in 2014 to a peak of $76,079 in 2018. This period of increased diversity coincided with economic growth, possibly indicating an influx of higher-income residents from various ethnic backgrounds.
As the neighborhood began reverting to a White Majority from 2019 onwards, there was a decline in median income. By 2022, the median income had dropped to $49,608, lower than it was in 2013. This economic downturn, coupled with the demographic shift, suggests a complex interplay of factors, possibly including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in the local job market.
Population figures show a general upward trend, growing from 413 in 2013 to 842 in 2022, indicating that despite economic fluctuations, the neighborhood has become increasingly attractive to new residents.
The demographic and economic trends in Cheltenham reflect broader patterns observed in many urban areas across the United States. The initial increase in diversity and median income aligns with national trends of urban revitalization and gentrification in formerly working-class neighborhoods. However, the recent reversal towards less diversity and lower median income is somewhat atypical and may be influenced by local factors specific to St. Louis or the impact of recent global events like the pandemic.
The fluctuation in the Asian population, which peaked at 27% in 2018 before declining to 5% by 2022, is noteworthy and may reflect broader migration patterns or changes in local industries that previously attracted Asian residents.
Cheltenham has undergone a complex demographic evolution over the past decade, transitioning from Moderate Diversity to High Diversity and then reverting to a White Majority. These shifts have been accompanied by significant economic changes, highlighting the relationship between racial composition, income levels, and neighborhood dynamics. The recent trends suggest that Cheltenham may be experiencing a period of demographic and economic readjustment, the long-term implications of which remain to be seen.
