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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in Oak Hill, Pawtucket: A Study of White Majority Persistence
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Oak Hill, a neighborhood in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, is characterized as a White Majority community with moderate diversity. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a population of 5,733 and a median income of $78,264. Oak Hill is notable for its historic architecture, including Victorian-era homes.
Over the past decade, Oak Hill has maintained its status as a White Majority community, with fluctuations in diversity levels. In 2013, the neighborhood was 65% white. From 2014 to 2017, diversity increased, with the white population decreasing to 54% in 2017. This trend reversed from 2018 onwards, with the white population increasing to 68% by 2022.
The Black and Hispanic populations exhibited significant changes. The Black population increased from 9% in 2013 to 17% in 2017, before declining to 7% in 2022. The Hispanic population rose from 14% in 2013 to 19% in 2017, then decreased to 13% by 2022. These fluctuations indicate a period of demographic change that ultimately reverted to a more homogeneous community structure.
The median income in Oak Hill has shown an upward trend, increasing from $61,697 in 2013 to $78,264 in 2022, representing a 27% increase over the decade. This economic growth coincided with the demographic shifts, particularly the increase in the white population percentage in recent years.
The period of greatest diversity (2014-2017) saw slower income growth, with median income increasing from $63,698 to $66,398. The subsequent years, which saw a reversal towards a stronger White Majority, coincided with more rapid income growth, peaking at $82,098 in 2021 before a slight decline in 2022.
The demographic trends in Oak Hill reflect broader national patterns of suburbanization and gentrification seen in many urban neighborhoods. The initial increase in diversity followed by a reversal is reminiscent of "diversity turnover," where neighborhoods experience a brief period of integration before transitioning back to a more homogeneous state, often accompanied by rising property values and incomes.
Oak Hill's economic growth outpaced the national average during this period. While the U.S. median household income grew by about 18% from 2013 to 2022, Oak Hill's grew by 27%, indicating a more rapid pace of economic change in the neighborhood.
These trends suggest that Oak Hill has undergone a period of demographic flux, potentially driven by factors such as changing housing markets, economic opportunities, or local policies. The strengthening of its White Majority status, coupled with significant income growth, indicates a pattern of gentrification that may have implications for long-term community dynamics, affordability, and social cohesion in the neighborhood.
