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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in Lower Highlands, Lowell: Asian Plurality and Economic Trends
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Lower Highlands neighborhood in Lowell, Massachusetts, is categorized as a "Majority-Minority" community as of 2022. The population comprises 50% Asian, 27% White, and 16% Hispanic residents. The median income in 2022 was $64,789. Lowell's history as an early planned industrial city with textile mills and diverse immigrant populations continues to influence its current demographic composition.
Over the past decade, the Lower Highlands neighborhood has experienced significant changes in its racial composition. In 2013, the area exhibited "Moderate Diversity" with a distribution of 44% Asian, 29% White, and 14% Hispanic populations. By 2018, it had transitioned to an "Asian Plurality" status, with the Asian population exceeding 50%. This shift has persisted, maintaining the "Majority-Minority" classification through 2022.
The most significant change has been the steady increase in the Asian population, rising from 44% in 2013 to 50% in 2022. Concurrently, there has been a gradual decline in the White population, decreasing from 29% to 27% over the same period. The Hispanic population has remained relatively stable, ranging from 14% to 16%. These demographic changes suggest a "Transitional Community" status, primarily driven by the growing Asian population and the declining White population.
The demographic shifts in Lower Highlands correlate with economic changes. The median income has shown an overall upward trend, increasing from $56,807 in 2013 to $64,789 in 2022, a rise of approximately 14%. This economic growth coincides with the increasing Asian population, suggesting a possible link between the influx of Asian residents and improved economic conditions. However, the income growth has not been linear, with a significant decrease in 2014 to $48,014, followed by a recovery and steady increase until 2021, with a slight decrease in 2022.
The population has remained relatively stable over the decade, fluctuating between approximately 12,000 and 13,000 residents. This stability in population size, combined with changing demographics and rising incomes, indicates that the neighborhood is experiencing population turnover rather than significant growth or decline.
The demographic trends in Lower Highlands reflect broader national patterns of increasing diversity in urban areas. The growth of the Asian population aligns with national trends of Asian immigration and population growth in the United States. However, the extent of Asian plurality in this neighborhood (50%) is notably higher than the national average, which was around 6% in 2020. The income growth in Lower Highlands, while positive, appears to be roughly in line with national trends. The U.S. median household income grew by about 10% between 2013 and 2022, adjusted for inflation, which is comparable to the 14% growth observed in this neighborhood.
Lower Highlands exemplifies a dynamic, diverse urban neighborhood undergoing significant demographic shifts, primarily driven by Asian population growth. These changes correlate with modest economic improvements, reflecting both local factors and broader national trends in diversity and urban development.
