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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in Lancaster Neighborhood, Albany
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Lancaster, a neighborhood in Albany, New York, is classified as a Moderate Diversity community with a White Plurality as of 2022. The white population comprises 52% of the neighborhood, while Black and Asian communities represent 16% and 14% respectively. Over the past decade, Lancaster has experienced significant demographic changes and variations in median income. The neighborhood is known for its historic architecture, featuring many 19th-century homes.
Lancaster has transitioned from a Low Diversity community with a White Majority to its current state of Moderate Diversity with a White Plurality over the past decade. In 2013, the white population constituted 64% of residents, decreasing to 52% by 2022. The Asian community grew from 10% in 2013 to 14% in 2022, and the Hispanic population increased from 6% to 9% during the same period. The Black population remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 13% and 19% throughout the decade.
The demographic changes in Lancaster have coincided with fluctuations in median income. The median income was $44,416 in 2013, rose to $66,554 in 2021, and then decreased to $54,759 in 2022. The population of Lancaster grew from 910 in 2013 to 1,020 in 2022. These changes suggest that Lancaster has become an increasingly desirable place to live, potentially attracting a more diverse set of residents.
The demographic shifts observed in Lancaster align with broader national trends towards increasing diversity in urban areas. Many U.S. cities have experienced similar transitions from predominantly white communities to more diverse neighborhoods over the past few decades. Lancaster's shift from Low Diversity to Moderate Diversity within a decade is notable and may indicate significant demographic changes in Albany as a whole.
The economic fluctuations seen in Lancaster, particularly the increase in median income from 2020 to 2021 followed by a decline in 2022, may reflect the broader economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recovery efforts. This pattern is similar to what many urban neighborhoods across the United States experienced during this period.
Lancaster exemplifies a neighborhood in transition, moving towards greater diversity while experiencing economic fluctuations. These changes likely reflect broader societal shifts and may continue to shape the character and dynamics of this historic Albany neighborhood in the coming years.
