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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in Northwood Gardens, West Palm Beach
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Northwood Gardens in West Palm Beach, Florida, presents as a neighborhood with Moderate Diversity, based on 2022 demographic data. The community has a balanced distribution of racial groups, with Hispanic (38%), White (38%), and Black (20%) populations forming the primary ethnic composition. The neighborhood's median income was $50,009 in 2022. Northwood Gardens has experienced a population decline, dropping from 498 residents in 2010 to 340 in 2022.
Over the past decade, Northwood Gardens has undergone a transition in its racial composition. In 2013, the neighborhood exhibited characteristics of a White Plurality, with whites comprising 45% of the population. By 2022, the community had shifted to a Moderate Diversity classification, with a more balanced distribution among Hispanic, White, and Black residents.
The Hispanic population has shown significant fluctuation, ranging from a high of 42% in 2014-2015 to a low of 11% in 2020, before rebounding to 38% in 2022. This volatility suggests a Transitional Community status, particularly in the latter half of the decade. The Black population has remained relatively stable, hovering around 20-25% for most of the period, with a brief spike to 32% in 2020. The White population, while decreasing overall from its 2013 levels, has maintained a significant presence, consistently representing between 35-54% of residents.
The median income in Northwood Gardens has shown considerable volatility over the years. Starting from $54,526 in 2013, it dropped to $32,164 in 2015, then increased to $58,310 in 2019. It experienced another drop to $37,575 in 2020, before recovering to $50,009 in 2022.
These economic fluctuations appear to correlate with demographic shifts. The period of lowest median income (2014-2018) coincides with the highest percentages of Hispanic residents. Periods of higher median income tend to align with a more balanced racial distribution or a slight increase in the White population percentage.
The demographic changes in Northwood Gardens reflect broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas. The neighborhood's population decline (nearly 32% from 2010 to 2022) may indicate local factors such as urban redevelopment, changing housing preferences, or economic pressures unique to this area of West Palm Beach.
The income volatility observed in Northwood Gardens, particularly the sharp decline in 2020 and subsequent recovery, mirrors national economic trends related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The magnitude of these fluctuations suggests that the neighborhood may be more susceptible to economic shocks than more stable urban areas.
Northwood Gardens exemplifies a community in transition, moving from a predominantly White area to one of Moderate Diversity. This shift, coupled with economic fluctuations and population decline, indicates a neighborhood undergoing substantial change. These trends may have implications for local services, community cohesion, and future urban planning efforts in West Palm Beach.
