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Demographic Shift in Big Bayou: From Black Plurality to White Majority (2013-2022)
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Big Bayou, a neighborhood in St. Petersburg, Florida, exhibits a "Low Diversity" demographic profile with a white majority of 71% as of 2022. The area has undergone demographic and economic changes over the past decade. With a population of 303 in 2022 and a median income of $46,847, Big Bayou represents a small community within St. Petersburg.
Big Bayou has experienced a transformation in its racial composition over the past decade. In 2013, the neighborhood was categorized as a "Black Plurality" community, with African Americans comprising 49% of the population. From 2014 to 2017, it transitioned to a "Black Majority" area, with the Black population peaking at 68% in 2014.
A significant shift occurred from 2018 onwards. The community gradually moved towards a "White Plurality" in 2018 and 2019, and then transitioned to a "White Majority" from 2020 to 2022. This change represents a reversal in the neighborhood's racial makeup. The Hispanic population has remained relatively small throughout this period, never exceeding 4%. The "Two or More Races" category has seen growth in recent years.
The demographic shifts in Big Bayou correlate with changes in median income. In 2013, when the neighborhood had a Black plurality, the median income was $15,598. As the racial composition shifted towards a White majority, there was an increase in median income. By 2021, when the White population reached 69%, the median income had increased to $71,191.
The rise in median income, coupled with the shift in racial demographics, suggests a process of gentrification. The influx of higher-income residents, predominantly White, has likely changed the economic landscape of the neighborhood.
The demographic changes in Big Bayou reflect trends seen in many urban areas across the United States, where historically Black or minority neighborhoods undergo gentrification. This process often results in the displacement of long-time residents and a shift in the community's racial and economic makeup.
The speed and extent of the change in Big Bayou are notable. While gentrification often occurs gradually over decades, this neighborhood has seen a reversal of its racial majority in less than ten years. This rapid change could have implications for community cohesion, local businesses, and long-term residents.
While the median income has increased, it still falls below the national median household income, which was around $67,521 in 2020. This suggests that Big Bayou may still be considered a middle-income neighborhood within the broader national context.
Big Bayou represents an example of demographic and economic change, transitioning from a predominantly Black, lower-income area to a White-majority, middle-income neighborhood in a short period. These changes likely reflect broader urban development patterns in St. Petersburg and potentially signal ongoing shifts in the city's social and economic landscape.
