Loading Content...
Demographic Evolution of Pawtuckett: A Study of Racial Composition and Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Pawtuckett, a neighborhood in Charlotte, North Carolina, currently exhibits a "Moderate Diversity" profile with a significant Black plurality. As of 2022, the Black population constitutes 45% of the neighborhood, followed by White (30%) and Asian (11%) residents. The median income of $46,301 in 2022 suggests a working to middle-class community. Pawtuckett has seen substantial population growth over the past decade, increasing from 4,150 in 2010 to 4,883 in 2022, indicating its appeal as a residential area within Charlotte.
Over the past decade, Pawtuckett has undergone a notable transition in its racial composition. In 2013, the neighborhood could be categorized as having a "Black Plurality" with 42% Black residents. By 2018, it had shifted to a "High Diversity" profile, with Asian (25%), Black (37%), Hispanic (19%), and White (16%) populations all having significant representation. However, by 2022, the neighborhood returned to a "Moderate Diversity" categorization with a stronger Black plurality.
This evolution suggests a period of rapid diversification followed by a partial reversion to earlier demographic patterns. The Hispanic population, in particular, saw significant growth from 5% in 2013 to a peak of 29% in 2017, before declining to 9% by 2022. This could indicate a transitional period for the Hispanic community in Pawtuckett.
The median income in Pawtuckett has fluctuated over the years, showing no consistent upward or downward trend. It peaked at $54,142 in 2021 but fell to $46,301 in 2022. This volatility in income levels coincides with the demographic shifts, suggesting a possible correlation between changing population composition and economic conditions.
The period of highest diversity (2015-2018) corresponded with relatively stable median incomes around $48,000-$51,000. However, as the neighborhood shifted back towards a stronger Black plurality, incomes became more volatile, reaching both their highest and lowest points in recent years.
Pawtuckett's demographic evolution reflects broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States, where neighborhoods experience periods of rapid diversification followed by potential "settling" into new demographic patterns. The fluctuations in the Hispanic population, in particular, mirror national trends of Hispanic population growth in urban areas, though Pawtuckett's subsequent decline in this demographic is somewhat unique.
The neighborhood's income levels, while fluctuating, have generally remained below the national median household income (which was $70,784 in 2021). This suggests that while Pawtuckett has experienced demographic changes, it has maintained its character as a working to middle-class neighborhood.
The population growth in Pawtuckett (about 18% increase from 2010 to 2022) outpaces the overall U.S. population growth rate (about 7% over the same period), indicating that the neighborhood has been an attractive destination for new residents, possibly due to its diversity and relative affordability within the Charlotte metropolitan area.
Pawtuckett presents a dynamic picture of demographic evolution, transitioning through various stages of diversity over the past decade. These changes, coupled with fluctuating economic indicators, suggest a neighborhood in flux, adapting to broader societal and economic trends while maintaining its core identity as a diverse, working-class community within Charlotte.
