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Demographic Shifts in Beech Hill: From White Majority to Moderate Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Beech Hill, a neighborhood in Yonkers, New York, exhibits a demographic profile categorized as "Moderate Diversity" as of 2022. The neighborhood has a population of 2,975 with a median income of $82,571. Beech Hill has historically been known as an affluent, predominantly white suburb that has undergone significant demographic changes in recent years.
Over the past decade, Beech Hill has transitioned from a "White Majority" community to one of "Moderate Diversity." In 2013, the neighborhood was in the "White Majority" category with 68% of the population identifying as white. By 2022, this percentage had decreased to 45%, no longer constituting a majority. This shift has been accompanied by increases in other racial groups, particularly Hispanic and Asian populations.
The community can now be classified as a "Transitional Community," given the consistent upward trend in Hispanic representation (from 12% in 2013 to 25% in 2022) and the increase in Black residents (from 4% in 2013 to 11% in 2022). The Asian population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 11% and 20% over the decade.
The demographic shifts in Beech Hill have coincided with changes in median income. From 2013 to 2018, the neighborhood maintained a median income above $100,000. There was a decline in 2019 to $79,962, coinciding with a shift towards greater diversity. Since then, median income has fluctuated, reaching $82,571 in 2022.
This economic trend suggests that as the neighborhood became more diverse, there was an initial decrease in overall wealth, possibly due to an influx of middle-income families from various racial backgrounds. The subsequent stabilization and slight increase in median income indicate that the new diverse population includes a mix of socioeconomic levels.
The demographic changes in Beech Hill mirror trends seen in many suburban areas across the United States, particularly those near major metropolitan centers like New York City. The shift from predominantly white, high-income suburbs to more diverse communities is a pattern observed in many parts of the country, often driven by factors such as changing housing preferences, economic opportunities, and evolving social attitudes.
The economic trajectory of Beech Hill, with its initial high incomes followed by a decline and then stabilization, is somewhat unique. Many diversifying suburbs experience a more gradual economic transition. This pattern in Beech Hill might suggest a rapid period of change, possibly influenced by specific local factors such as new housing developments or changes in local employment opportunities.
Beech Hill represents an example of a "Transitional Community," evolving from a homogeneous, high-income suburb to a more diverse, economically mixed neighborhood. This transformation reflects broader national trends of suburban diversification while also presenting its own unique economic narrative. The neighborhood's journey offers insights into the interplay between demographic shifts and economic changes in American suburban landscapes.
