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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in The Highlands Neighborhood of Hattiesburg, Mississippi
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
DATA SOURCE
United States Census Bureau: American Community Survey Data (ACS)
The Highlands neighborhood in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, exhibits a diverse demographic landscape as of 2022. It is classified as a "Moderate Diversity" community with a population distribution of 49% White and 44% Black residents. The median income in 2022 was $27,484, indicating a lower-middle-income area. The neighborhood's proximity to the University of Southern Mississippi likely influences its demographic and economic characteristics.
Over the past decade, The Highlands has experienced significant demographic changes. In 2013, it was classified as a "Majority-Minority" area with 46% Black and 48% White residents. By 2015, it transitioned to a "White Majority" community (54% White), maintaining this status until 2019. From 2020 onwards, the area returned to a "Moderate Diversity" classification.
A notable shift occurred between 2019 and 2020, with the Black population increasing from 41% to 48% and the White population decreasing from 51% to 44%. Concurrently, residents identifying as two or more races increased from 1% in 2019 to 6% in 2020, and further to 7% in 2021-2022. This trend suggests The Highlands is becoming a "Transitional Community" moving towards increased diversity.
The median income in The Highlands has fluctuated over the years, showing an upward trend from $19,297 in 2013 to $33,472 in 2018, followed by a decline to $27,484 in 2022. The period of highest median income (2016-2019) coincided with the "White Majority" classification. The population has also fluctuated, peaking at 5,131 in 2017 and declining to 4,176 in 2022.
The demographic shifts observed in The Highlands reflect broader national trends towards increasing diversity, particularly in urban and suburban areas. The rise in multiracial identification from 0% in 2013 to 7% in 2022 aligns with national patterns reported in the 2020 U.S. Census.
The economic fluctuations in The Highlands, particularly the recent decline in median income, may reflect broader economic challenges faced by mid-sized cities in the Southern United States. The presence of a major university likely provides some economic stability to the area.
The Highlands exemplifies a community in transition, moving from a relatively segregated demographic structure towards a more diverse and integrated composition. This shift, coupled with economic fluctuations, presents both challenges and opportunities for community development and social cohesion in the coming years.
