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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in Alger Heights: A Study of Neighborhood Transition
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Alger Heights, a neighborhood in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is characterized as a White Majority community with Moderate Diversity as of 2022. The white population constitutes 61% of residents, with Black (21%) and Hispanic (10%) populations representing significant minorities. The neighborhood's median income was $63,398 in 2022. Alger Heights features post-World War II bungalow-style homes and tree-lined streets, typical of classic American suburban areas within an urban context.
Over the past decade, Alger Heights has transitioned from a Low Diversity to a Moderate Diversity community. In 2013, the neighborhood had a strong White Majority (72%), which decreased to 61% by 2022. Concurrently, the Black population increased from 16% to 21%, and the Hispanic population grew from 8% to 10%. The most significant demographic changes occurred between 2013 and 2016, during which the community shifted from Low Diversity to Moderate Diversity.
The community has maintained its Moderate Diversity status since 2016, with gradual increases in minority populations. The "Two or More Races" category increased from 2% to 6% between 2013 and 2022, indicating a trend towards increased diversity. These demographic shifts occurred alongside fluctuations in median income. From 2013 to 2022, the median income increased from $57,008 to $63,398, representing an 11.2% growth. However, this growth was not linear, with a dip in median income between 2014 and 2016 coinciding with the period of rapid demographic change.
Since 2016, there has been a general upward trend in median income, with a notable increase between 2020 and 2021 (from $63,351 to $67,530). This recent increase in income levels, coupled with the stabilization of demographic ratios, may indicate a period of economic integration and community development. The population of Alger Heights has remained relatively stable over the decade, with a slight decrease from 4,632 in 2013 to 4,620 in 2022.
The trends observed in Alger Heights reflect broader national patterns of increasing diversity in suburban areas. Many U.S. cities have experienced similar transitions in traditionally white neighborhoods, often referred to as "suburban diversification." This process is typically driven by factors such as changing housing preferences, economic opportunities, and evolving social attitudes.
The economic trajectory of Alger Heights, with its overall increase in median income despite periods of fluctuation, aligns with national trends of economic recovery and growth following the 2008 recession. The neighborhood's specific pattern of demographic change and economic fluctuation may be more closely tied to local factors in Grand Rapids and Michigan's economic landscape.
Alger Heights presents a case study of a neighborhood in transition, moving from Low Diversity to Moderate Diversity while maintaining its White Majority status. The economic resilience demonstrated by the overall increase in median income, despite periods of change, suggests a community adapting to new demographic realities while maintaining its economic foundations.
