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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in Greater Fondren Southwest, Houston
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Greater Fondren Southwest in Houston, Texas, currently exhibits characteristics of a Majority-Minority community with Moderate Diversity. As of 2022, the neighborhood's population of 63,926 is predominantly composed of Hispanic (42%) and Black (38%) residents, with smaller but significant White (12%) and Asian (6%) populations. The median income of $49,101 in 2022 suggests a working-class to lower-middle-class economic profile. This neighborhood is known for its diverse array of international restaurants, reflecting its multicultural makeup.
Over the past decade, Greater Fondren Southwest has undergone a significant demographic transition. In 2013, the neighborhood could be categorized as having a Black Plurality, with 44% of the population being Black. However, by 2022, it had shifted to a Majority-Minority status with Moderate Diversity. This change was primarily driven by a steady increase in the Hispanic population, from 34% in 2013 to 42% in 2022, while the Black population decreased from 44% to 38%. The White population remained relatively stable at around 12-14% throughout the period, while the Asian population showed a slight increase from 5% to 6%. This transition reflects a trend towards increased diversity, with a notable rise in the Hispanic community.
The median income in the neighborhood has shown fluctuations over the past decade. Starting at $46,223 in 2013, it reached a peak of $53,344 in 2021 before declining to $49,101 in 2022. This overall modest increase (about 6.2% over nine years) suggests a relatively stagnant economic situation when accounting for inflation. The periods of higher median income (2017-2021) coincided with the increasing Hispanic population and decreasing Black population. This could indicate that the incoming Hispanic residents may have had slightly higher incomes, or that economic opportunities improved for the existing population during this period.
The population of the neighborhood peaked in 2017 at 70,640 and has since declined to 63,926 in 2022. This population decrease, coupled with the changing racial demographics, might suggest that some residents (particularly from the Black community) may have moved out of the area, possibly due to economic factors or changing neighborhood dynamics.
The demographic shift observed in Greater Fondren Southwest aligns with broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States, where Hispanic populations are growing and becoming a larger share of the population. This trend is particularly pronounced in Texas and other southwestern states. The economic trajectory of the neighborhood, with its modest income growth, reflects challenges faced by many working-class and lower-middle-class communities nationwide. The median income of $49,101 in 2022 is below the national median household income of approximately $70,784 for the same year, indicating that Greater Fondren Southwest faces some economic challenges compared to national averages.
The transition to a Majority-Minority status with increasing Hispanic representation is a pattern observed in many parts of Houston and other major Texas cities. This reflects the growing influence of Hispanic culture and communities in the region's social and economic fabric.
Greater Fondren Southwest has evolved from a neighborhood with a Black Plurality to a Majority-Minority community with Moderate Diversity over the past decade. This transition, driven primarily by growth in the Hispanic population, has been accompanied by modest economic gains and some population fluctuation. These changes reflect broader demographic shifts occurring across urban America, particularly in the Southwest, and highlight the dynamic nature of urban neighborhoods in response to migration, economic factors, and changing community preferences.
