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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in Carbon Works, Detroit: 2013-2022
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Carbon Works, a neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan, exhibits a Moderate Diversity profile based on its 2022 racial composition. The community comprises Hispanic (33%), White (29%), and Black (28%) populations, lacking a clear racial majority. The neighborhood's median income was $21,057 in 2022, below the national average. Carbon Works experienced a significant population decline, decreasing from 5,548 residents in 2010 to 2,711 in 2022.
Over the past decade, Carbon Works transitioned from a community with insufficient data to one characterized by Moderate Diversity. From 2013 to 2019, the neighborhood maintained a relatively stable racial composition, with Black residents forming a plurality (33-37%), followed by White (31-38%) and Hispanic (28-32%) populations. Recent years (2020-2022) show a shift towards increased diversity, with Hispanic residents becoming the largest group (33% in 2022) and an increase in residents identifying as two or more races (from 1% in 2018 to 9% in 2022). This trend suggests Carbon Works is evolving into a Transitional Community.
The median income in Carbon Works has fluctuated considerably, showing an overall declining trend. From $23,475 in 2017, it dropped to $17,663 in 2020 before rebounding to $21,057 in 2022. This economic instability coincides with the significant population decline, suggesting a complex interplay between demographic changes and economic conditions. The population decrease could be both a cause and effect of economic challenges, potentially reflecting job losses, housing issues, or residents seeking opportunities elsewhere.
The demographic shifts observed in Carbon Works mirror broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States, particularly in post-industrial cities like Detroit. The increasing diversity, especially the growth in Hispanic population and multiracial residents, aligns with national demographic trends. However, the severe population decline (51% decrease from 2010 to 2022) is more extreme than typical urban trends and may reflect specific challenges facing Detroit and this neighborhood in particular.
The economic struggles of Carbon Works, with median incomes well below the national average (which was around $70,000 in 2022), are indicative of the broader economic challenges faced by many inner-city neighborhoods in legacy industrial cities. The fluctuating and generally low median income suggests ongoing economic instability that may be both driving and resulting from the demographic changes observed.
Carbon Works presents a picture of a neighborhood in transition, facing significant economic challenges while becoming increasingly diverse. The interplay between population decline, shifting racial demographics, and economic instability paints a complex picture of urban change, reflective of broader trends but also unique in its intensity. As the community continues to evolve, addressing economic opportunities and fostering inclusive growth will be crucial for its future stability and prosperity.
