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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in the Islands of Beaufort: From Moderate to Low Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Islands of Beaufort neighborhood in Beaufort, South Carolina, demonstrates a Low Diversity demographic profile with a White Majority of 83% as of 2022. The area has undergone significant demographic changes over the past decade, transitioning from a more diverse community to one with a predominant racial group. The neighborhood has a median income of $81,249 in 2022, indicating an affluent area. The Islands of Beaufort is part of the Lowcountry region, known for its antebellum architecture and cultural heritage.
The Islands of Beaufort has experienced a notable transformation in its racial composition over the past decade. In 2013, the community exhibited a Moderate Diversity profile, with a Black population of 38% and a White majority of 60%. By 2022, the area had transitioned to a Low Diversity category with a White Majority of 83%. The Black population decreased from 38% in 2013 to 4% in 2022, while the White population increased from 60% to 83%. The Hispanic population showed a slight increase from 1% in 2013 to 9% in 2022.
The demographic shifts correlate with changes in median income. In 2013, when the community was more diverse, the median income was $89,717. As the community became less diverse and predominantly White, the median income fluctuated but remained high, reaching $81,249 in 2022. The highest median income of $93,583 was recorded in 2021, coinciding with the period of lowest diversity (85% White). The population of the neighborhood grew from 553 in 2010 to 1,001 in 2022.
The demographic evolution of the Islands of Beaufort reflects trends seen in many coastal and historically significant areas across the United States. Gentrification often leads to demographic shifts, with more affluent, predominantly White residents moving into areas previously inhabited by more diverse populations. The decrease in the Black population from 38% to 4% over a decade is more extreme than typical gentrification patterns seen in many other U.S. cities.
The high median income of the neighborhood ($81,249 in 2022) is above the national median household income (approximately $70,784 in 2021), indicating that this area has become increasingly affluent relative to national averages. These trends suggest that the Islands of Beaufort has transformed from a moderately diverse, affluent community to an even more affluent, predominantly White enclave. This change likely has implications for local culture, community dynamics, and potentially for housing affordability and access for diverse populations in the broader Beaufort area.
