Loading Content...
Demographic Shifts in Central Manchester: From White Majority to Majority-Minority
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Central Manchester, a neighborhood in Manchester, Connecticut, presents a diverse demographic landscape categorized as a "Moderate Diversity" community. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a population of 4,691 with a median income of $57,899. Central Manchester is part of one of the oldest settlements in Connecticut, known for its industrial heritage in silk and paper manufacturing during the 19th century.
Over the past decade, Central Manchester has undergone a transformation in its racial composition. In 2013, the neighborhood was classified as having a "White Majority" with 62% of the population identifying as white. By 2022, this shifted to a "Majority-Minority" status, with white residents comprising 46% of the population.
This transition was gradual but consistent. The community moved from a "White Majority" to "Moderate Diversity" around 2019-2020, when the white population dropped below 55%. The Black population increased from 8% in 2013 to 20% in 2022, while the Hispanic population rose from 21% to 25% over the same period.
The Asian population remained relatively stable, between 5-8% throughout the decade. The community saw an increase in residents identifying as two or more races, growing from 2% to 4% between 2013 and 2022.
The demographic shifts occurred alongside fluctuations in median income. In 2013, the median income was $66,337, which declined to $53,109 in 2019 before increasing to $57,899 in 2022. This overall decline in median income coincides with the shift towards greater diversity.
The population fluctuated, peaking at 4,923 in 2014 before declining to 3,667 in 2018, and then growing again to 4,691 in 2022. These population changes may reflect broader economic trends.
The demographic shifts observed in Central Manchester align with broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban and urban areas. Many communities across the United States have been experiencing similar transitions from predominantly white populations to more diverse compositions.
The economic fluctuations in Central Manchester, including the decline and partial recovery of median income, may reflect national economic trends such as the recovery from the 2008 financial crisis and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Central Manchester has evolved from a "White Majority" community to a "Majority-Minority" area over the past decade, exemplifying the "Transitional Community" category. This demographic shift has occurred alongside economic challenges, as evidenced by the fluctuating median income.
