Loading Content...
Demographic Shifts in Goodyear Heights: From White Majority to Increasing Racial Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Goodyear Heights, a neighborhood in Akron, Ohio, exhibits a demographic profile characterized as a "White Majority" community with moderate diversity. As of 2022, the white population comprises 70% of residents, while Black (17%) and multiracial (7%) individuals contribute to the diverse mix. The neighborhood's median income of $52,500 in 2022 indicates a working to middle-class economic status. Goodyear Heights has historical significance as one of the earliest planned communities in the United States, developed by Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in the early 20th century.
Over the past decade, Goodyear Heights has transitioned from a "Low Diversity" community to one approaching "Moderate Diversity." In 2013, the neighborhood was in the "White Majority" category with 80% white residents. By 2022, this percentage decreased to 70%, while other racial groups increased. The Black population grew from 14% to 17%, and those identifying as two or more races increased from 2% to 7%. This trend indicates a gradual diversification of the neighborhood.
The community has not experienced abrupt category shifts but rather a gradual evolution towards greater diversity. This change could be attributed to factors such as changing housing preferences, economic opportunities, or broader demographic trends in the Akron area.
The median income in Goodyear Heights has shown an upward trend, rising from $43,593 in 2013 to $52,500 in 2022, an increase of about 20%. This growth in median income correlates with the increasing diversity of the neighborhood. As the community has become more diverse, it has also become somewhat more affluent, which could suggest that the demographic changes are partly driven by an influx of middle-income residents from various racial backgrounds.
The population has remained relatively stable over this period, fluctuating between about 22,000 to 24,000 residents. This stability in population, combined with increasing diversity and rising incomes, might indicate a gradual turnover of residents rather than a significant influx of new inhabitants.
The trends observed in Goodyear Heights align with broader national patterns of increasing diversity in suburban and urban neighborhoods. Many American cities have experienced similar demographic shifts, with traditionally white-majority areas becoming more diverse over time. The gradual nature of this change in Goodyear Heights suggests a relatively stable community undergoing organic demographic evolution rather than rapid gentrification or white flight seen in some urban areas.
The income growth in Goodyear Heights, while positive, appears to be roughly in line with national averages, indicating that the neighborhood is maintaining its economic position relative to the broader U.S. economy.
Goodyear Heights represents a community in transition, slowly moving from a low-diversity, white-majority neighborhood to a more diverse and slightly more affluent area. This gradual change suggests a relatively stable community adaptation rather than disruptive demographic or economic shifts. As this trend continues, it will be important to monitor how these changes affect community cohesion, local services, and the overall character of this historic neighborhood.
