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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in South Williamsburg, Brooklyn: A Decade of Change
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
South Williamsburg, Brooklyn, is a White Majority neighborhood with a median income of $71,510 as of 2022. The area has transitioned from a Moderate Diversity community over the past decade. South Williamsburg is known for its large Hasidic Jewish population, which influences local demographics.
In 2013, South Williamsburg was categorized as a Moderate Diversity community, with a White majority (61%) and significant Hispanic representation (31%). Over the decade, the neighborhood has maintained its White Majority status but experienced a slight decrease in diversity. The White population remained relatively stable between 60-63% throughout the decade. The Hispanic population decreased from 31% in 2013 to 25% in 2022. The Black population increased from 3% in 2013 to 8% in 2022. Asian and Two or More Races categories saw slight increases.
The demographic shifts correlate with economic changes. Median income increased from $42,582 in 2013 to $71,510 in 2022, a 68% increase. The population grew from 41,242 in 2013 to 48,116 in 2022, a 17% increase. The income growth suggests gentrification processes, potentially explaining the decrease in the Hispanic population and the increase in White residents.
The trends in South Williamsburg align with broader patterns of gentrification seen in many urban areas across the United States. The combination of rising incomes, population growth, and subtle demographic shifts is characteristic of neighborhoods experiencing urban renewal and increased desirability.
The maintenance of a strong White Majority in South Williamsburg, despite Brooklyn's overall diversity, may be partly attributed to the established Hasidic Jewish community, typically categorized as White in demographic data. This cultural enclave has likely contributed to the area's resistance to more dramatic demographic shifts seen in other gentrifying neighborhoods.
The income growth in South Williamsburg outpaces national trends. While the U.S. median household income grew by about 27% from 2013 to 2022, South Williamsburg saw a 68% increase, indicating a more rapid economic transformation than the national average.
South Williamsburg represents a case of economic uplift coupled with subtle demographic consolidation. The neighborhood has maintained its White Majority status while experiencing substantial income growth and population increase, suggesting a complex interplay of gentrification, cultural preservation, and gradual diversification of its minority population.
