Loading Content...
Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in Merrymount: A Study of a White Majority Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Merrymount, a neighborhood in Quincy, Massachusetts, is characterized as a White Majority community with moderate diversity. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a population of 3,861 and a median income of $103,083. Merrymount has historical significance as one of the oldest settlements in Massachusetts, founded in 1625 by Thomas Morton as a trading post.
Over the past decade, Merrymount has maintained its status as a White Majority community. From 2013 to 2018, the neighborhood showed signs of transitioning towards Moderate Diversity. The Asian population increased significantly, reaching 31% in 2017 and 2018, while the White population decreased to around 57-58%. Post-2018, there was a reversal of this trend, with the White population increasing again to 70% by 2022, reverting the neighborhood to a clearer White Majority status with lower diversity.
The Hispanic population has remained relatively stable, hovering around 5-7% throughout the decade. The Black population has shown a gradual decline, from 6% in 2013 to nearly 0% in 2022.
The demographic shifts correlate with economic changes. The median income has shown an overall upward trend, rising from $85,833 in 2013 to $103,083 in 2022, with a peak of $129,698 in 2021. The period of increased diversity (2013-2018) coincided with relatively stable median incomes, ranging from $83,751 to $97,991. The shift back towards a stronger White Majority from 2019 onwards aligns with a more significant increase in median income, surpassing $100,000 consistently. Population growth has been steady, increasing from 2,893 in 2013 to 3,861 in 2022, suggesting the neighborhood's attractiveness has grown over time.
The trend of increasing median income in Merrymount aligns with broader economic growth patterns seen in many urban and suburban areas across the United States over the past decade. The fluctuation in diversity, particularly the increase and subsequent decrease in the Asian population, may reflect broader migration patterns or changes in local economic opportunities. The consistent White Majority status of Merrymount, even as it experienced periods of increased diversity, suggests that while the neighborhood has seen some demographic changes, it has maintained its core character. The significant income growth, particularly in recent years, might indicate gentrification processes or increased desirability of the area, which could be influencing the demographic composition.
Merrymount presents a case of a neighborhood that has experienced fluctuations in diversity while maintaining its White Majority status. The economic growth, particularly in recent years, correlates with a strengthening of this majority, suggesting complex interactions between demographic composition and economic factors in this historically significant area of Quincy.
