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Demographic Shifts in Cherry Neighborhood: From Diversity to White Majority
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Cherry neighborhood in Charlotte, North Carolina, as of 2022, is classified as a White Majority community with Moderate Diversity. The neighborhood has a population of 1,360 and a median income of $66,717. Cherry is one of Charlotte's oldest African American neighborhoods, which makes its current demographic composition significant.
Cherry has undergone substantial demographic changes over the past decade. In 2013, it was categorized as a White Majority community with Low Diversity, with 61% of the population identifying as white. By 2019, while still maintaining a White Majority status, the community had shifted towards Moderate Diversity, with the white population decreasing to 51% and the Black population increasing to 35%. From 2020 to 2022, a slight reversal occurred, with the white population increasing to 61% and the Black population decreasing to 26%.
The demographic changes in Cherry correlate with significant economic shifts. The median income has increased from $46,357 in 2013 to $66,717 in 2022, a 44% increase. This growth coincides with the increase in the white population percentage. The population of Cherry has also grown from 724 in 2013 to 1,360 in 2022, nearly doubling in size.
The changes observed in Cherry reflect broader trends seen in many urban neighborhoods across the United States, particularly those with historical significance to minority communities. The process of gentrification often leads to demographic shifts similar to those seen in Cherry, with increases in white population percentages and rising median incomes.
Cherry's situation is unique in that it has maintained a level of diversity despite these changes. While many gentrifying neighborhoods see a complete shift to White Majority status with Low Diversity, Cherry has preserved a Moderate Diversity classification, even as its racial makeup has fluctuated.
The economic growth in Cherry outpaces the national average. While the U.S. median household income grew by about 13% from 2013 to 2021 (adjusted for inflation), Cherry's median income grew by over 60% in the same period. This rapid economic change could be contributing to the demographic shifts and potential displacement of long-term residents.
Cherry represents a neighborhood in flux, balancing its historical identity with new demographic and economic realities. The challenge moving forward will be to maintain its diverse character while managing the impacts of rapid economic growth and potential gentrification.
