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Demographic Shifts in Greco Island: A Study of Hispanic Population Growth and Racial Composition
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Greco Island, a neighborhood in Redwood City, California, demonstrates characteristics of a Hispanic Majority community with moderate diversity. As of 2022, the Hispanic population comprises 70% of the neighborhood, with the White population at 22%. The median income in 2022 was $70,038, indicating a middle-income area. Greco Island is a marsh island in San Francisco Bay, part of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Over the past decade, Greco Island has undergone a significant demographic transition. In 2013, the neighborhood was categorized as having Moderate Diversity, with a fairly even split between Hispanic (43%) and White (45%) populations. By 2016, it had shifted to a Hispanic Plurality community, with the Hispanic population reaching 47%. The trend continued, and by 2020, Greco Island had become a Hispanic Majority community, with the Hispanic population surpassing 50% and reaching 65%. This transition appears to have been driven by a steady increase in the Hispanic population coupled with a decline in the White population.
The Asian population increased from 6% in 2013 to a peak of 17% in 2019, before declining to 5% in recent years. Black and Pacific Islander populations have remained consistently low throughout the decade.
The median income in Greco Island has shown considerable fluctuation over the years. Starting from $48,124 in 2013, it rose steadily to reach a peak of $107,951 in 2019, coinciding with the highest percentage of Asian residents. However, it then dropped significantly to $67,971 in 2020, aligning with the shift to a Hispanic Majority community. Since then, it has stabilized around $70,000-$77,000.
The population has grown from 446 in 2013 to 808 in 2022, indicating a growing attractiveness of the area despite its changing demographics.
The demographic shift observed in Greco Island aligns with broader trends seen in many California communities, where Hispanic populations have been growing. The economic fluctuations, particularly the sharp rise and fall in median income between 2019 and 2020, are unusual and may reflect wider economic trends related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The current median income of around $70,000 is lower than the California state median of approximately $84,000, suggesting that while Greco Island remains a middle-income area, it may be facing some economic challenges compared to the wider region.
The transition from a moderately diverse community to a Hispanic Majority area within a decade represents a significant demographic shift. This change could potentially impact local businesses, schools, and community services, which may need to adapt to serve a predominantly Hispanic population. The economic implications of this shift, as evidenced by the changes in median income, suggest a complex interplay between demographic changes and economic conditions that warrants further investigation.
