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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in High Street Hill: A White Majority Neighborhood Transitioning to Moderate Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
High Street Hill, a neighborhood in Brookline, Massachusetts, is a White Majority community with moderate diversity. As of 2022, the area has a population of 4,426 and a median income of $127,710, indicating a relatively affluent suburban setting. High Street Hill contains part of the Emerald Necklace park system designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in the late 19th century.
Over the past decade, High Street Hill has maintained its status as a White Majority community, but with notable changes in its diversity profile. In 2013, the neighborhood exhibited Low Diversity with a white population of 74%. By 2022, it had transitioned to Moderate Diversity, with the white population decreasing to 64% and significant increases in Asian and Hispanic populations.
The Asian population increased from 14% in 2013 to 19% in 2022, nearly reaching the threshold for a Transitional Community in terms of Asian representation. The Hispanic population increased from 6% to 8% during this period. These shifts indicate a trend towards greater diversity, though not yet reaching the High Diversity category.
The demographic changes in High Street Hill correlate with significant economic growth. The median income rose from $90,006 in 2013 to $127,710 in 2022, an increase of over 41%. This economic uptrend coincides with the increasing diversity, suggesting that the neighborhood has become more attractive to affluent professionals from various ethnic backgrounds, particularly Asian and Hispanic communities.
The population has remained relatively stable over the decade, with only minor fluctuations, indicating that the neighborhood has maintained its desirability while gradually becoming more diverse and affluent.
The trends observed in High Street Hill align with broader patterns seen in many affluent suburban areas near major cities. The increasing diversity, particularly the growth in Asian and Hispanic populations, reflects national trends of growing minority representation in higher-income communities. The substantial income growth also mirrors the economic recovery and expansion experienced in many parts of the United States following the 2008 financial crisis.
The persistence of a White Majority in High Street Hill, despite increasing diversity, suggests that the neighborhood may be experiencing a slower rate of demographic change compared to some other urban and suburban areas that have more rapidly transitioned to Majority-Minority or High Diversity status.
The economic trajectory of High Street Hill, with its median income significantly exceeding the national average, positions it as an increasingly exclusive enclave. This trend raises questions about affordability and access for a broader range of socioeconomic groups, a challenge faced by many desirable suburban communities nationwide.
High Street Hill exemplifies a gradual transition from Low Diversity to Moderate Diversity within a White Majority context, coupled with substantial economic growth. These changes reflect broader national trends but occur at a more measured pace, maintaining the neighborhood's character while slowly evolving towards greater inclusivity and affluence.
