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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in West End South, Winston-Salem: A Study of White Majority and Diversity Trends
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
West End South in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is a neighborhood with a White Majority, with 84% of the population identifying as white in 2022. The area has experienced demographic fluctuations over the past decade, transitioning from a more diverse community to one with lower diversity. Economically, the neighborhood has seen variable median income levels, with the most recent figure of $40,156 in 2022 representing a decrease from previous years. West End South is characterized by Victorian-era architecture and tree-lined streets.
The neighborhood has undergone changes in its racial composition over the past decade. In 2013, West End South had Low Diversity, with whites comprising 74% of the population. From 2014 to 2019, the area transitioned towards Moderate Diversity, with significant black and Hispanic populations emerging. The Hispanic population grew from 0% in 2015 to 18% by 2019, indicating a Transitional Community during this period.
From 2020 onwards, there has been a reversal of this trend. The neighborhood has shifted back towards Low Diversity, with the white population increasing to 84% by 2022, while other racial groups have seen declines. This shift could be attributed to factors such as gentrification, changes in housing policies, or economic factors attracting a different demographic.
The median income in West End South has fluctuated over the years, showing a correlation with demographic changes. From 2013 to 2019, as the neighborhood became more diverse, there was a general upward trend in median income, peaking at $52,467 in 2019. This period of increasing diversity coincided with economic growth in the area.
As the neighborhood began to shift back towards Low Diversity from 2020 onwards, there was a decrease in median income, dropping to $40,156 by 2022. This decline in income levels as the white population increased is contrary to typical gentrification patterns and may suggest a complex interplay of local economic factors and demographic changes.
The population of the neighborhood has seen fluctuations, growing from 153 in 2010 to a peak of 303 in 2019, before declining to 247 in 2022. This population trend aligns with the periods of increasing and decreasing diversity, suggesting that the neighborhood's appeal to different demographic groups has varied over time.
The demographic shifts observed in West End South reflect broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas throughout the 2010s, followed by more recent trends of "white flight" back to certain urban neighborhoods in the early 2020s. The economic decline accompanying the return to a White Majority is unusual and may be specific to local conditions in Winston-Salem or this particular neighborhood.
The median income of $40,156 in 2022 is below the national median household income of approximately $70,784 for the same year, indicating that despite its demographic changes, West End South remains a relatively lower-income area within the broader national context. This economic situation, combined with the demographic shifts, suggests that the neighborhood may be experiencing unique local pressures that are influencing both its racial composition and economic status.
West End South has undergone a demographic evolution over the past decade, transitioning from Low Diversity to Moderate Diversity and back to Low Diversity, with corresponding fluctuations in economic indicators. These changes reflect both local dynamics and broader national trends, presenting a picture of urban demographic and economic shifts in smaller city neighborhoods.
