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Demographic Shifts in Clifton: From White Majority to Moderate Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Clifton, a neighborhood in Jacksonville, Florida, exhibits a dynamic demographic landscape as of 2022. It is classified as a "Moderate Diversity" community with a White Plurality. The neighborhood has a population of 1,749 and a median income of $62,835. Clifton has experienced significant demographic changes over the past decade, transitioning from a predominantly Black community to one with increasing White and Hispanic populations.
In 2013, Clifton was categorized as having a "White Majority" with 61% of the population identifying as White. By 2017, the neighborhood had transitioned to a "Black Plurality" with 47% of the population identifying as Black. This change indicates a period of significant demographic flux.
From 2018 onwards, another transition towards "Moderate Diversity" is observed. The White population began to increase again, while the Black population decreased. Concurrently, there was a notable rise in the Hispanic population, growing from 1% in 2015 to 18% by 2022. This trend suggests that Clifton has become a "Transitional Community," with increasing diversity over the past five years.
The demographic shifts in Clifton correlate with changes in median income. In 2013, when the neighborhood had a White Majority, the median income was $38,389. As the community transitioned to a Black Plurality by 2017, the median income increased to $51,111. The most significant increase in median income occurred between 2017 and 2019, coinciding with the shift towards greater diversity and an increase in the Hispanic population. By 2019, the median income had risen to $63,115, and it has remained relatively stable since then.
The population of Clifton has fluctuated over the years, with an increase from 1,427 in 2010 to 2,028 in 2018, followed by a decline to 1,749 in 2022. These population changes may reflect the neighborhood's evolving attractiveness to different demographic groups as it underwent racial and economic transitions.
The demographic shifts observed in Clifton mirror broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States. The increase in diversity, particularly the growth of the Hispanic population, is consistent with national demographic trends. The correlation between increasing diversity and rising median incomes is also observed in other gentrifying urban neighborhoods across the country.
Clifton's transition from a White Majority to a Black Plurality and then back to a White Plurality with significant Hispanic growth is somewhat unique. This pattern may reflect specific local factors such as changes in housing policies, economic development initiatives, or shifts in the broader Jacksonville metropolitan area.
The economic growth experienced by Clifton, with median income increasing by over 60% from 2013 to 2022, outpaces the national average income growth for the same period. This suggests that Clifton has undergone significant economic transformation alongside its demographic changes, potentially indicating successful urban revitalization efforts or changing neighborhood desirability.
Clifton exemplifies a dynamic urban neighborhood undergoing rapid demographic and economic changes. Its evolution from a racially homogeneous community to one of moderate diversity, coupled with significant income growth, presents both opportunities and challenges for community cohesion and equitable development. The neighborhood's future trajectory will likely depend on how well it manages these transitions and integrates its increasingly diverse population.
