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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in The Bluff Neighborhood, Beaufort, South Carolina
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Bluff neighborhood in Beaufort, South Carolina, is currently a White Majority community with a moderate income level. As of 2022, the neighborhood has Low Diversity, with whites comprising 77% of the population. The median income of $65,348 in 2022 indicates a middle-class suburban area. The Bluff has experienced significant demographic shifts over the past decade, transitioning from a more diverse community to its current predominantly white composition.
At the beginning of the decade, The Bluff exhibited Moderate Diversity. In 2013, the community was nearly evenly split between white (53%) and black (39%) residents, with a small Hispanic population (7%). This racial composition remained relatively stable until 2016, when a noticeable shift began.
From 2016 to 2020, the neighborhood underwent a Transitional Community phase. The white population increased from 64% to 84%, while the black population decreased from 22% to 11%. This transition marked a shift from Moderate Diversity to Low Diversity and solidified the area's status as a White Majority community.
By 2022, while still maintaining a White Majority, there was a slight reversal of this trend, with the black population increasing to 21% and the white population decreasing to 77%. This suggests that the neighborhood may be entering another transitional phase, potentially moving back towards Moderate Diversity.
The demographic shifts in The Bluff correlate with changes in median income. As the community transitioned to a White Majority, there was a general upward trend in median income. From 2013 to 2019, median income rose from $54,769 to $69,409, an increase of nearly 27%. This period coincides with the increase in the white population and decrease in the black population.
2020 and 2021 saw a significant drop in median income, falling to $54,462 in 2021, which is lower than the 2013 level. This economic downturn occurred alongside a slight reversal in the demographic trend, with a small increase in the black population percentage.
The population of The Bluff has seen significant fluctuations, decreasing from 204 in 2010 to a low of 83 in 2018, before rising again to 121 in 2022. These population changes, combined with the racial and economic shifts, suggest a period of significant transition and potential gentrification in the neighborhood.
The demographic shifts observed in The Bluff, particularly the increase in the white population and decrease in the black population, align with broader trends of gentrification seen in many urban and suburban areas across the United States. The correlation between these demographic changes and rising median incomes is consistent with national patterns of neighborhood change.
The recent reversal of these trends, with a slight increase in racial diversity and a decrease in median income, could indicate a new phase of community evolution. This might be influenced by broader economic factors, such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, or local policy changes aimed at promoting diversity and affordability.
The relatively small population of The Bluff (121 in 2022) suggests that even minor changes in resident composition can have significant impacts on demographic percentages and community character. This makes the neighborhood particularly sensitive to socio-economic shifts and highlights the importance of careful community planning and inclusive policies to maintain stability and diversity.
