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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in East End, Altoona: A Decade of Change
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The East End neighborhood of Altoona, Pennsylvania, has experienced a gradual shift in its demographic composition over the past decade. As of 2022, the neighborhood is categorized as a "Low Diversity" community with a "White Majority" (83% white). This represents a change from 2013 when the area had a stronger "White Majority" (95% white). The median income in 2022 was $41,204, indicating a working-class community. East End has historically been known for its strong Italian-American heritage.
The most significant demographic change has been the increase in the Black population, which rose from 3% in 2013 to 11% in 2022. The percentage of residents identifying as two or more races also increased from 1% to 4% during this period. These shifts suggest a slow but steady transition towards greater diversity in the neighborhood.
The economic trends in East End have shown fluctuations over the past decade. The median income declined from 2013 to 2017, reaching a low point of $33,178 in 2017. Subsequently, there was a recovery period with the median income increasing to $42,560 in 2019 before stabilizing around $41,000 in recent years. Notably, the period of increasing diversity coincides with a general upward trend in median income.
The population of East End has remained relatively stable over the decade, fluctuating between approximately 5,600 and 6,600 residents. This stability, combined with increasing diversity and recovering incomes, may indicate a gradual renewal of the neighborhood without significant gentrification or displacement.
The demographic shifts observed in East End align with broader national trends of increasing diversity in many urban and suburban areas. However, the pace of change in East End appears to be slower than in many larger metropolitan areas, which is typical for smaller cities in Pennsylvania. The economic trends in East End, particularly the recovery in median income since 2017, correspond with national economic recovery trends post-2008 recession.
The median income in East End remains below the national average, which is common in many smaller cities and towns in the Rust Belt region that have faced economic challenges due to industrial decline. The gradual increase in diversity, particularly in the Black population, may reflect broader patterns of migration within Pennsylvania or from nearby states, as people seek affordable housing options in smaller cities. This trend could potentially continue, slowly transforming East End into a more diverse and economically dynamic neighborhood in the coming years.
