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Demographic Shifts in Fairlawn: From Low to Moderate Diversity with White Majority
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Fairlawn, a neighborhood in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, exhibits characteristics of a Moderate Diversity community with a White Majority as of 2022. The white population comprises 60% of the area, with Hispanic (17%) and Black (14%) populations being significant. The neighborhood has experienced demographic shifts over the past decade, along with fluctuations in median income. Fairlawn is known for its early 20th-century triple-decker houses, reflecting the area's industrial past and urban evolution.
Over the past decade, Fairlawn has transitioned from a Low Diversity community to one of Moderate Diversity. In 2013, the neighborhood had Low Diversity with a White Majority, as the white population comprised 68% of the total. By 2022, this percentage had decreased to 60%, while other racial groups increased in representation. The Hispanic population has shown the most significant growth, rising from 13% in 2013 to 17% in 2022. The Black population has also increased, from 12% to 14% over the same period. This trend suggests that Fairlawn is becoming a Transitional Community, with increasing racial diversity over time.
The demographic shifts in Fairlawn have coincided with changes in median income. In 2013, the median income was $56,694, rising to $70,640 in 2022, representing a 24.6% increase over the decade. This upward trend in income suggests that the increasing diversity in the neighborhood may be associated with economic growth and potentially gentrification. The median income peaked in 2021 at $78,989 before declining in 2022. This recent dip could indicate broader economic challenges or shifts in the local job market affecting the community's economic trajectory.
The population of Fairlawn has remained relatively stable over the decade, with only minor fluctuations. This stability, combined with increasing diversity and rising incomes, suggests that the neighborhood is experiencing in-migration of diverse, potentially higher-income residents rather than displacement of existing populations.
The trends observed in Fairlawn align with broader national patterns of increasing diversity in urban areas. Many U.S. cities have seen growth in Hispanic and multiracial populations over the past decade, contributing to more diverse community compositions. The rise in median income in Fairlawn also reflects a national trend of economic recovery and growth following the 2008 financial crisis, although the recent dip may be indicative of more recent economic challenges faced nationwide.
Compared to national averages, Fairlawn's median income of $70,640 in 2022 is higher than the U.S. median household income of approximately $70,784 in the same year, suggesting that the neighborhood is relatively prosperous within the national context.
The transition towards greater diversity in Fairlawn, while maintaining a White Majority, is indicative of gradual integration rather than rapid demographic upheaval. This pattern of change may contribute to a more stable community fabric, allowing for cultural exchange and economic development without the social tensions that can sometimes accompany more abrupt demographic shifts.
Fairlawn exemplifies a neighborhood in transition, moving towards greater diversity while experiencing economic growth. These changes present both opportunities and challenges for community cohesion, local businesses, and public services as they adapt to serve a more diverse population with evolving needs and expectations.
