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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in Oak Forest, Charlotte: A Study of Black and Hispanic Populations
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Oak Forest, a neighborhood in Charlotte, North Carolina, currently exhibits a Racial Plurality with Black residents forming the largest group at 52% of the population as of 2022. The neighborhood has Moderate Diversity, with significant representation from both Black and Hispanic communities. The median income of Oak Forest was $34,175 in 2022, indicating a working-class neighborhood experiencing demographic shifts.
Over the past decade, Oak Forest has transitioned from a Black Majority community to its current state of Racial Plurality. In 2013, the neighborhood had a Black Majority at 47%, with Hispanics at 44%. By 2022, the Black population increased to 52%, while the Hispanic population decreased to 38%, maintaining the Moderate Diversity classification but shifting the balance.
The White population has remained relatively stable at 6-8% throughout the decade. The Asian population increased from 1% in 2013 to 3% in 2021, then dropped back to 1% in 2022. This fluctuation suggests a Transitional Community aspect, with small but noticeable changes in less represented groups.
The median income in Oak Forest has shown an upward trend, rising from $29,605 in 2013 to $34,175 in 2022, an increase of about 15%. This growth has not been steady, with a significant jump to $35,135 in 2016, followed by fluctuations. These income changes correlate with shifts in racial composition, particularly the slight increase in the White population percentage and the fluctuations in the Hispanic population.
The population of Oak Forest has fluctuated over the decade, starting at 6,358 in 2013, peaking at 8,065 in 2019, and then declining to 7,219 in 2022. This population trend could indicate changing neighborhood dynamics, possibly related to housing affordability or urban development patterns.
The demographic shifts in Oak Forest mirror broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States, where traditionally Black neighborhoods are experiencing an influx of Hispanic residents and, to a lesser extent, other racial groups. The moderate income growth in Oak Forest may not be keeping pace with overall economic growth in the Charlotte metropolitan area.
The persistence of Moderate Diversity in Oak Forest, despite demographic shifts, suggests a level of integration that is not always common in urban neighborhoods. This could indicate Charlotte's overall efforts to promote inclusive growth and development across its various communities.
Oak Forest represents a dynamic urban neighborhood experiencing gradual demographic and economic changes. While maintaining its status as a Moderately Diverse community, it shows signs of being a Transitional Community, with ongoing shifts in racial composition and economic status. These changes reflect broader urban trends of increasing diversity and economic restructuring, presenting both opportunities and challenges for community cohesion and equitable development.
