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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in Old West Tampa: From Black Majority to Hispanic Plurality
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Old West Tampa, a neighborhood in Tampa, Florida, has transitioned from a Black Majority area to a Racial Plurality community with a Hispanic plurality of 48% as of 2022. This shift occurred over the past decade. The neighborhood's median income was $31,144 in 2022, which is below the national median household income. Old West Tampa is known for its cultural heritage, particularly its Cuban influences.
Old West Tampa has undergone significant changes in its racial composition over the past decade. In 2013, the neighborhood was categorized as a Black Majority community, with 61% of the population identifying as Black. By 2022, it had shifted to a Hispanic Plurality, with the Hispanic population increasing from 26% in 2013 to 48% in 2022. This change categorizes Old West Tampa as a Transitional Community, indicating an increase in diversity.
The Black population in Old West Tampa decreased from 61% in 2013 to 37% in 2022. Concurrently, the White population increased from 6% to 14% during the same period. These demographic changes have moved Old West Tampa from a Low Diversity category in 2013 to a Moderate Diversity category by 2022, with significant representation from Hispanic, Black, and White racial groups.
The demographic shifts in Old West Tampa have coincided with fluctuations in median income. The median income increased from $24,046 in 2013 to $32,544 in 2020, but slightly declined to $31,144 by 2022. This overall increase in median income has occurred alongside the growing Hispanic population and the diversification of the neighborhood.
The population of Old West Tampa has decreased from 6,602 in 2013 to 3,777 in 2022. This population decline, combined with the changing racial composition and increasing median income, suggests potential gentrification or urban renewal efforts that may be altering the neighborhood's socio-economic landscape.
The demographic shifts observed in Old West Tampa are consistent with broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States. The growth of the Hispanic population aligns with national trends, as the Hispanic population has been one of the fastest-growing demographic groups in the country. The decline in the Black population percentage, concurrent with an increase in the White population, is a pattern observed in some urban areas undergoing gentrification.
The economic improvements, as evidenced by the rising median income, are positive but should be considered in the context of the significant population decrease. This could indicate that while the overall economic status of the neighborhood is improving, it may be occurring at the expense of displacing lower-income residents.
Old West Tampa exemplifies a Transitional Community, evolving from a predominantly Black neighborhood to a more diverse area with a growing Hispanic presence. These changes, along with economic fluctuations and population decline, indicate a neighborhood in transition, potentially influenced by broader urban development trends and changing migration patterns in the Tampa area.
