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Demographic Evolution of Firestone-Garden Park: A Predominantly Black Neighborhood in Charlotte
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Firestone-Garden Park is categorized as a "Low Diversity" neighborhood with a "Black Majority". As of 2022, the Black population comprises 81% of the community, with a median income of $37,036. This neighborhood has experienced demographic and economic fluctuations over the past decade, reflecting urban trends of gentrification and community transition.
Throughout the period from 2013 to 2022, Firestone-Garden Park has maintained a "Black Majority" status, with the Black population consistently above 75% of the total. This classifies the neighborhood as "Low Diversity" for most of the observed period. Despite the persistent Black majority, there are signs of gradual diversification. The Hispanic population increased from 1% in 2013 to 9% in 2022. The Asian population showed growth from 1% in 2013 to 3% in 2022, with a peak of 7% in 2021. The White population remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 3-7% over the decade.
The neighborhood shows characteristics of a "Transitional Community", particularly in recent years. The increasing percentages of Hispanic and Asian residents, coupled with a slight decrease in the Black population from 86% in 2013 to 81% in 2022, suggest a trend towards greater diversity. The median income in Firestone-Garden Park has shown significant fluctuations. It rose from $36,960 in 2013 to a peak of $42,925 in 2019. A decline occurred in 2020 to $36,204, followed by a recovery to $41,219 in 2021, and another decline to $37,036 in 2022.
The neighborhood has experienced a population decrease, from 6,412 in 2010 to 4,898 in 2022. This 23.6% decline could indicate outmigration, possibly due to economic pressures or urban development patterns. The periods of higher median income (2015-2019) coincide with slight increases in diversity, suggesting that economic improvements may be attracting a more diverse population.
Firestone-Garden Park's demographic trends reflect broader national patterns. The subtle increase in diversity and fluctuating income levels could be indicative of early-stage gentrification, a phenomenon observed in many urban areas across the United States. The sharp income decline in 2020 aligns with national trends related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected minority communities economically. Despite minor diversification, the neighborhood's persistent Black majority reflects the ongoing racial segregation patterns in many American cities.
Firestone-Garden Park represents a historically Black neighborhood showing early signs of transition. While it remains a "Low Diversity" area with a strong "Black Majority", subtle demographic shifts and economic fluctuations suggest the beginnings of change. These trends may indicate broader forces of urban development and socio-economic pressures at play in Charlotte and similar cities across the United States.
