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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in Hickory Ridge, Charlotte: A Study of Black Plurality and Hispanic Growth
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Hickory Ridge, a neighborhood in Charlotte, North Carolina, is classified as a "Majority-Minority" community with "Moderate Diversity" as of 2022. The neighborhood has a Black plurality of 47%, a Hispanic population of 31%, and a White minority of 19%. The median income in Hickory Ridge was $49,995 in 2022, which is lower than its 2019 peak but represents growth over the past decade.
Over the past decade, Hickory Ridge has undergone a transformation in its racial composition. In 2013, the neighborhood had "Moderate Diversity" with a Black plurality of 45%, a White population of 23%, and a Hispanic population of 25%. By 2022, it had become a "Majority-Minority" area, with minority populations consistently exceeding 75% of the total.
The Black population has remained the largest group, ranging from 45-50%. The Hispanic population has shown the most significant increase, rising from 25% in 2013 to 31% in 2022. The White population has declined from 23% to 19%. This transition is part of a "Transitional Community" trend, with increasing diversity driven primarily by Hispanic growth. The Asian population has remained stable, while other racial categories have shown minimal changes.
The demographic shifts in Hickory Ridge have coincided with economic changes. The median income has risen from $40,920 in 2013 to $49,995 in 2022, despite fluctuations. The peak median income of $58,875 was recorded in 2019, coinciding with the highest representation of the White population (25%) in recent years. The population has grown from 10,024 in 2013 to 12,474 in 2022, indicating increased attractiveness to new residents, particularly from Hispanic communities.
The demographic trends in Hickory Ridge reflect broader national patterns of increasing diversity in urban areas. The growth of the Hispanic population aligns with national trends of Hispanic population growth in many U.S. cities. The neighborhood's transition to a "Majority-Minority" status is part of a wider demographic shift seen across many American urban centers.
The economic fluctuations, including the peak in 2019 followed by a decline, likely reflect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the overall growth in median income over the decade suggests economic resilience in Hickory Ridge. The neighborhood exemplifies a dynamic urban area undergoing significant demographic and economic changes, reflecting broader national trends in urban demographics and showing overall growth in both population and median income.
