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Demographic Shifts in Hazelton: A Study of Racial Composition Changes
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Hazelton neighborhood in Youngstown, Ohio, exhibits a demographic profile characterized as a "Majority-Minority" community with "Moderate Diversity" as of 2022. The population stands at 996, with African Americans constituting 42%, White residents 28%, and multi-racial individuals 16%. The median income in 2022 is $33,295, indicative of a working-class community. Hazelton has historical significance in Youngstown's steel industry, with many residents traditionally employed in manufacturing sectors.
Over the past decade, Hazelton has experienced significant demographic transformation. In 2013, the neighborhood was categorized as having a "White Plurality" with 45% White residents and 22% Black residents. By 2017, it had shifted to a "White Majority" community with 52% White residents. From 2018 onwards, a rapid transition towards a "Majority-Minority" status occurred, culminating in 2021 with a "Black Majority" of 59%. This shift represents a substantial change in the neighborhood's racial composition over a relatively short period.
The most notable trends include a steady decline in the White population from 55% in 2015 to 28% in 2022, a significant increase in the Black population from 22% in 2013 to 42% in 2022 (peaking at 59% in 2021), and the emergence of a substantial multi-racial population, growing from 1% in 2014 to 16% in 2022. These shifts indicate that Hazelton has become a "Transitional Community," experiencing rapid demographic changes that have reshaped its identity.
The median income in Hazelton has shown overall growth, with fluctuations. From $25,278 in 2013, it rose to $36,420 in 2021 before decreasing slightly to $33,295 in 2022. This represents a 31.7% increase over the decade, suggesting some economic improvement despite the neighborhood's working-class status. The periods of highest median income (2017-2019 and 2021) coincide with the transition towards a more diverse racial composition.
The population has grown from 842 in 2013 to 996 in 2022, an 18.3% increase. This growth, coupled with the demographic shifts, suggests that Hazelton has become an attractive destination for minority groups, particularly African Americans and multi-racial families.
The demographic shifts in Hazelton mirror broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas. However, the rapidity and extent of the change from a White Plurality to a Majority-Minority community within a decade is more pronounced than national averages. The economic growth in Hazelton, while positive, still places the neighborhood below the national median household income ($70,784 in 2021).
The growth of the multi-racial population in Hazelton is particularly significant, outpacing national trends. This could be indicative of increasing interracial relationships and families in the area, potentially making Hazelton a model for integration and diversity in the region.
Hazelton's transformation from a predominantly White community to a diverse, Majority-Minority neighborhood over the past decade reflects broader national trends towards increased diversity, but at an accelerated pace. This rapid change, coupled with modest economic improvements, presents both opportunities and challenges for community cohesion and development in the coming years.
