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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in Elizabeth Park Valley, Akron
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Elizabeth Park Valley in Akron, Ohio, is currently classified as a "Black Plurality" neighborhood with moderate diversity. As of 2022, the Black population comprises 42% of the community, while White residents account for 35%. The neighborhood has undergone significant demographic changes over the past decade, accompanied by fluctuations in median income. Elizabeth Park Valley has historical importance in Akron's rubber industry, with many residents previously employed in nearby tire factories.
From 2013 to 2022, Elizabeth Park Valley transitioned through several demographic categories. In 2013, it was a "White Majority" community with 52% of residents identifying as White. The neighborhood then progressed through stages of Moderate Diversity, Black Plurality, Black Majority, and finally returned to Black Plurality in 2022. This transition indicates a "Transitional Community" status. The Black population increased from 41% in 2013 to a peak of 57% in 2019, before settling at 42% in 2022. Simultaneously, the White population decreased from 52% to 35%.
A notable trend is the growth of the Asian population, which increased from 3% in 2013 to 12% in 2022, suggesting increasing diversity within the neighborhood. The median income in Elizabeth Park Valley has shown an overall upward trend, rising from $23,307 in 2013 to $32,363 in 2022, an increase of about 39%. This economic growth correlates with the demographic shifts observed in the community.
The initial increase in the Black population from 2013 to 2019 coincided with a steady rise in median income from $23,307 to $34,766. The peak of the Black majority in 2019 (57%) aligned with the highest median income of $34,766. The recent diversification, particularly the growth in the Asian population, has maintained relatively stable income levels, with slight fluctuations between $32,000 and $34,000 from 2020 to 2022. These trends suggest that the neighborhood's increasing diversity has been accompanied by overall economic improvement.
The demographic shifts in Elizabeth Park Valley reflect broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas. However, the neighborhood's transition from a White majority to a Black plurality, and then to a more diverse mix, is more pronounced than national averages. The growth of the Asian population from 3% to 12% is particularly notable, outpacing national trends. Economically, while the neighborhood has seen improvement, its median income of $32,363 in 2022 remains below the national median household income of approximately $70,784 (as of 2021). This indicates that Elizabeth Park Valley still faces economic challenges compared to national averages.
The neighborhood's evolving diversity and gradual economic improvement align with broader urban revitalization trends seen in many Rust Belt cities, where changing demographics often accompany economic transitions from traditional manufacturing to more diverse economic bases.
