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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in Curtis Bay, Baltimore: 2013-2022
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Curtis Bay, a neighborhood in Baltimore, Maryland, currently exhibits characteristics of Moderate Diversity. As of 2022, the community has a White Plurality (49%), with significant Black (30%) and Hispanic (13%) populations. The neighborhood's median income of $46,455 in 2022 is lower than the national median, indicating economic challenges. Curtis Bay is known for its industrial history, particularly its proximity to the Port of Baltimore, which has shaped its demographic and economic landscape over time.
Over the past decade, Curtis Bay has undergone a transition in its racial composition. In 2013, the neighborhood had a White Majority (54%). By 2022, it had shifted to a White Plurality (49%), just below the majority threshold. This change aligns with the definition of a Transitional Community, as there is a gradual increase in diversity over time.
The Black population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 25-32% throughout the decade. The Hispanic population has grown significantly, more than doubling from 6% in 2013 to 13% in 2022. This trend suggests an influx of Hispanic residents, contributing to the neighborhood's increasing diversity.
The Asian population has shown growth, increasing from 1% in 2015 to 6% in 2022. This further adds to the neighborhood's evolving multicultural character.
The demographic shifts in Curtis Bay correlate with fluctuations in median income and population figures. The median income peaked in 2014 at $48,878 but has since experienced a downward trend, reaching $46,455 in 2022. This decline coincides with the transition from a White Majority to a more diverse community, suggesting potential economic challenges associated with this demographic shift.
The population of Curtis Bay has fluctuated significantly. It peaked in 2014 at 5,364 residents but decreased to 3,973 by 2022. This population decline, coupled with the income trend, indicates possible economic pressures driving demographic changes. The influx of Hispanic and Asian residents may be related to more affordable housing options resulting from these economic shifts.
The demographic changes in Curtis Bay mirror broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States, where traditionally white-majority neighborhoods are becoming more diverse. The growth of the Hispanic population aligns with national trends of increasing Hispanic representation in urban communities.
The economic challenges faced by Curtis Bay, as evidenced by its below-national-average median income and declining population, suggest that this neighborhood may be experiencing more acute pressures than some other transitioning urban areas. The industrial nature of Curtis Bay, tied to the fortunes of the Port of Baltimore, may contribute to these unique economic challenges and subsequent demographic shifts.
Curtis Bay exemplifies a Transitional Community, evolving from a White Majority to a more diverse neighborhood with a White Plurality. This transition, while increasing the area's cultural diversity, has coincided with economic challenges that may be both a cause and effect of these demographic shifts. The neighborhood's future will likely depend on how it navigates these changes, potentially leveraging its growing diversity as an asset for community revitalization and economic development.
