Loading Content...
Demographic Evolution of The Flats: From Low to Moderate Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Flats neighborhood in Scranton, Pennsylvania, exhibits a Moderate Diversity profile with a white majority as of 2022. The neighborhood has a population of 2,020 and a median income of $34,589. The Flats has historical significance as a working-class neighborhood that was important in Scranton's industrial past, particularly during the coal mining era.
The Flats has transitioned from a Low Diversity community to its current Moderate Diversity status over the past decade. In 2013, the neighborhood had a white majority (69%) with a significant Hispanic presence (25%). By 2022, the white population decreased to 60%, while other racial groups, particularly Asian and Hispanic populations, increased. The neighborhood briefly experienced a Majority-Minority status around 2018-2019 when the white population fell below 50%.
The median income in The Flats has shown a general downward trend from $36,638 in 2013 to $34,589 in 2022. This decline correlates with the increasing diversity of the neighborhood. The population has remained relatively stable over the decade, around 2,200 residents, with a slight decrease to 2,020 in 2022. This stability in population size, combined with changing demographics, indicates a gradual replacement of long-term residents with new, more diverse inhabitants.
The demographic shifts observed in The Flats are similar to broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas. Many post-industrial cities in the Northeast have experienced similar transitions as they adapt to changing economic realities and attract new immigrant populations.
The median income in The Flats ($34,589 in 2022) is lower than the national median household income (approximately $70,784 in 2021), reflecting the economic challenges faced by this historically working-class neighborhood. This income disparity is common in former industrial areas that are still in the process of economic transformation.
The neighborhood's evolution from Low Diversity to Moderate Diversity over a decade is relatively rapid compared to national averages, suggesting that The Flats may be experiencing accelerated demographic change. This could be due to factors such as affordable housing options attracting diverse populations or targeted economic development initiatives.
The Flats neighborhood in Scranton is undergoing a significant demographic transition, moving towards greater diversity while facing economic challenges. These changes reflect broader national trends but are occurring at a pace that may present both opportunities and challenges for community cohesion and economic development in the coming years.
