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Demographic Shifts in Calvert Hills: Slow Diversification and Economic Growth
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Calvert Hills, a neighborhood in Altoona, Pennsylvania, exhibits a low diversity profile with a white majority of 81% in 2022. The area has experienced subtle demographic shifts over the past decade, transitioning from a more homogeneous community to one showing early signs of diversification. The neighborhood has seen a moderate increase in median income, rising from $44,885 in 2013 to $55,351 in 2022, suggesting a gradual improvement in economic conditions.
Throughout the observed period (2013-2022), Calvert Hills maintained a white majority, though it decreased from 90% in 2013 to 81% in 2022. This shift keeps the neighborhood in the "Low Diversity" category. The most significant change is the increase in residents identifying as two or more races, rising from 1% in 2013 to 12% in 2022. This trend suggests a gradual transition towards a more diverse community composition.
The Black population showed variability, peaking at 8% in 2018 but declining to 3% by 2022. This fluctuation indicates potential changes in neighborhood attractiveness or broader socio-economic factors affecting this demographic. The Hispanic community grew from being statistically insignificant in earlier years to 2% by 2022, indicating a slow but steady diversification.
The median income in Calvert Hills increased by about 23% from 2013 to 2022, outpacing inflation and suggesting an overall improvement in economic conditions. Despite income growth, the neighborhood experienced a population decline from 3,150 in 2013 to 2,929 in 2022. This could indicate a shift in housing preferences, possibly towards smaller household sizes or movement to other areas. The gradual increase in diversity coincides with the rise in median income, potentially suggesting that the neighborhood is attracting a more diverse, economically stable population.
Calvert Hills' slow diversification aligns with broader national trends of increasing racial and ethnic diversity in suburban and small-city neighborhoods. The growth in multiracial identifications is particularly notable, reflecting a national trend of increasing multiracial self-identification. The economic growth in Calvert Hills appears modest compared to national averages. The population decline, despite rising incomes, could be indicative of broader trends affecting many small to mid-sized cities in the northeastern United States.
Calvert Hills presents a picture of a slowly evolving neighborhood, maintaining its low diversity status but showing signs of gradual change. The economic improvements and subtle demographic shifts suggest a community in transition, albeit at a pace slower than many urban areas across the nation. This gradual change may present both opportunities and challenges for community cohesion and local development in the coming years.
