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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in Benton Woods, Sandy Springs
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Benton Woods, a neighborhood in Sandy Springs, Georgia, exhibits a demographic profile categorized as "Moderate Diversity" as of 2022. The neighborhood's racial distribution comprises White (41%), Black (35%), and Asian (17%) populations as the largest segments. The median income is $77,728, indicating a relatively affluent community. Benton Woods has undergone significant demographic changes over the past decade, transitioning from a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood to its current diverse state.
In 2013, Benton Woods was categorized as a "Hispanic Plurality" community, with 47% of the population being Hispanic. The neighborhood transitioned through several categories from 2013 to 2022, including "Hispanic Plurality" with significant White and Black minorities (2013-2017), a shift towards "Majority-Minority" status (2018-2020), and finally to "Moderate Diversity" (2021-2022). The most significant change occurred between 2021 and 2022, with the Hispanic population decreasing from 22% to 5%, while Black and Asian populations increased substantially.
The median income in Benton Woods has shown an overall upward trend, increasing from $60,559 in 2013 to $77,728 in 2022, with fluctuations in between. The sharpest increase occurred between 2020 and 2021, coinciding with the start of significant demographic shifts. The population has decreased from 5,291 in 2013 to 3,368 in 2022, suggesting possible gentrification or changes in housing dynamics.
The increasing median income correlates with the growing presence of White and Asian populations, which often have higher average incomes nationally. This trend may indicate a process of neighborhood "upgrading" or gentrification, potentially pricing out some previous residents, particularly from the Hispanic community.
The demographic evolution of Benton Woods reflects broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban areas. Many U.S. suburbs have seen growth in minority populations, particularly Asian and Hispanic groups, over the past decade. The sharp decline in the Hispanic population between 2021 and 2022 is unusual and may warrant further investigation into local policies or economic factors that could have prompted such a rapid change.
The increasing median income aligns with national trends of income growth in suburban areas, especially those close to major metropolitan centers like Atlanta. The simultaneous population decrease suggests that this growth may be accompanied by displacement of lower-income residents, a common concern in gentrifying areas.
Benton Woods exemplifies a rapidly evolving suburban neighborhood, transitioning from a Hispanic-plurality area to a moderately diverse community with increasing affluence. This transformation reflects broader patterns of suburban diversification and economic change. The speed and extent of these shifts, particularly regarding the Hispanic population, are noteworthy and may have significant implications for community cohesion and local policies.
