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Demographic Shifts and Race Composition in South Los Angeles
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
South Los Angeles, a neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, exhibits a Hispanic Majority demographic composition with a median income of $47,547 as of 2022. The area is categorized as Low Diversity, with Hispanic residents comprising 63% of the population, followed by Black residents at 30%. South Los Angeles has faced economic challenges historically but has shown signs of gradual improvement in recent years.
Over the past decade, South Los Angeles has undergone a demographic transition. In 2013, the neighborhood was characterized as a Majority-Minority area, with Hispanic residents at 57% and Black residents at 39%. By 2022, it had shifted to a Hispanic Majority (63%), while the Black population decreased to 30%. This change represents a Transitional Community, with the Hispanic population showing consistent growth and the Black population steadily declining.
The neighborhood has maintained Low Diversity throughout this period, with two racial groups (Hispanic and Black) dominating the demographic landscape. Other racial groups, including Asian, White, and those of two or more races, have maintained minimal representation, collectively accounting for less than 7% of the population throughout the decade.
The median income in South Los Angeles has increased over the past decade, rising from $35,047 in 2013 to $47,547 in 2022, representing a 35.7% increase. This economic improvement correlates with the demographic shifts. The population has grown from 217,769 in 2013 to 239,623 in 2022, an increase of about 10%.
The demographic shift in South Los Angeles mirrors broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States, where Hispanic populations have been growing while historically Black neighborhoods have experienced demographic changes. This trend is particularly pronounced in Los Angeles, which has a significant Hispanic population citywide.
The economic improvement in South Los Angeles, while notable, still leaves the neighborhood below the median income levels of Los Angeles as a whole. In 2022, the median household income for Los Angeles was approximately $70,000, significantly higher than South Los Angeles' $47,547. This disparity highlights ongoing economic challenges in the neighborhood despite recent improvements.
The transition from a Majority-Minority to a Hispanic Majority area reflects larger demographic shifts in California, where Hispanics became the largest ethnic group in the state in 2014. However, the persistence of Low Diversity in South Los Angeles contrasts with trends in many other urban areas that are experiencing increasing diversity.
South Los Angeles exemplifies a neighborhood in transition, with a growing Hispanic population driving demographic and economic changes. While economic indicators show improvement, the area still faces challenges in terms of income disparity compared to the broader city. The demographic shifts and economic trends in South Los Angeles offer insights into urban development patterns and the interplay between racial demographics and economic conditions in American cities.
