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Demographic Evolution of Old Decatur: From White Majority to Moderate Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Old Decatur, a neighborhood in Decatur, Georgia, currently exhibits a Moderate Diversity demographic profile with a white population of 49%, Asian population of 23%, and Black population of 22% as of 2022. The neighborhood has transitioned from a White Majority area to a more diverse community over the past decade. Old Decatur's median income was $61,833 in 2022, indicating a middle to upper-middle-class suburban area. The neighborhood is known for its historic district with preserved 19th and early 20th-century architecture.
In 2013, Old Decatur was categorized as a White Majority community, with 67% of the population identifying as white. Over the next decade, the neighborhood shifted towards Moderate Diversity by 2022. This transition was marked by a decrease in the white population percentage and increases in Asian and Black populations. The Asian population increased from 8% in 2013 to 23% in 2022, while the Black population increased from 15% to 22% over the same period. This shift indicates that Old Decatur is becoming a Transitional Community.
The demographic changes in Old Decatur have been accompanied by fluctuations in median income. From 2013 to 2022, the median income increased from $48,518 to $61,833, representing a 27.4% growth. This growth was not linear, with peaks and troughs throughout the decade. Periods of highest income growth coincided with increases in the Asian population percentage, suggesting a possible correlation between the influx of Asian residents and economic prosperity in the neighborhood.
The population of Old Decatur has increased over the decade, growing from 1,085 in 2013 to 1,476 in 2022, a 36% increase. This population growth, coupled with increasing diversity and rising median income, suggests that Old Decatur has become an increasingly attractive area for various demographic groups.
The demographic shifts observed in Old Decatur align with broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban areas. Many U.S. suburbs have been transitioning from predominantly white communities to more diverse neighborhoods over the past few decades. The growth in the Asian population reflects a national trend of Asian Americans moving to suburban areas, often driven by factors such as education opportunities and quality of life.
The economic trajectory of Old Decatur, with its overall upward trend in median income despite some fluctuations, is generally consistent with national patterns of economic recovery and growth following the 2008 recession. However, the neighborhood's specific income levels and growth rates may differ from national averages, potentially reflecting local economic conditions and the changing demographic makeup of the area.
Old Decatur's evolution from a White Majority community to one of Moderate Diversity over the past decade represents a microcosm of broader demographic shifts occurring across many American suburbs. This transition, coupled with population growth and generally increasing median incomes, suggests a dynamic and evolving neighborhood that may continue to attract a diverse range of residents in the coming years.
