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Demographic Shifts in Houston's Briarforest Area: White Plurality with Increasing Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Briarforest Area of Houston, Texas, is characterized as a neighborhood with Moderate Diversity. As of 2022, it has a White plurality (44%) with significant Black (26%) and Hispanic (19%) populations. The area has a median income of $81,325, indicating relative affluence within Houston. Its proximity to the Energy Corridor, a major employment center for the energy industry, likely influences its demographic and economic composition.
Over the past decade, the Briarforest Area has maintained its status as a Moderately Diverse community, with notable shifts in its racial composition. In 2013, the neighborhood had a White plurality (45%) with significant Black (22%) and Hispanic (21%) populations. By 2022, while still maintaining a White plurality, the neighborhood experienced an increase in its Black population (to 26%) and a slight decrease in its Hispanic population (to 19%).
The most significant change has been the steady increase in the Asian population, from 5% in 2013 to 7% in 2022, and the growth of the two or more races category from 1% to 4%. These trends suggest that the Briarforest Area is slowly transitioning towards Higher Diversity, though it has not yet met the criteria for that category.
The median income in the Briarforest Area has shown fluctuations but an overall upward trend, rising from $80,773 in 2013 to $81,325 in 2022, with a peak of $88,762 in 2021. This suggests a relatively stable economic environment. The population has remained relatively stable over this period, growing slightly from 40,646 in 2013 to 42,908 in 2022. This stability, combined with the increasing diversity and rising incomes, could indicate that the area is becoming more attractive to a wider range of professional demographics.
The demographic shifts in the Briarforest Area align with broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States, where increasing diversity is becoming the norm. The growth in the Asian population and those identifying as two or more races mirrors national trends of increasing Asian-American populations in professional urban areas.
The area's economic resilience is evidenced by its stable population and rising median income. This suggests that the Briarforest Area may be diversifying not just demographically but also economically, potentially reducing its dependence on a single industry.
The Briarforest Area exemplifies a community in transition, moving gradually towards Higher Diversity while maintaining economic stability. These changes likely reflect broader shifts in Houston's economy and demographics, as well as national trends towards increasing racial and ethnic diversity in urban professional areas. The neighborhood's ability to maintain its economic standing while becoming more diverse could make it an interesting case study in community evolution in the face of changing demographics.
