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Demographic Shifts in Islandview: A Study of Race and Diversity in a Detroit Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Islandview, a neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan, exhibits characteristics of a Black Majority community with 75% of the population identifying as Black in 2022. The neighborhood has experienced demographic shifts over the past decade, alongside fluctuations in median income. Islandview is located near the Detroit River, which historically played a role in the Underground Railroad.
From 2013 to 2022, Islandview has maintained its status as a Black Majority neighborhood. There has been a decrease in the Black population percentage, from 89% in 2013 to 75% in 2022. The White population has increased from 9% in 2013 to 18% in 2022. The Hispanic and Two or More Races categories have also shown slight increases.
The median income in Islandview has shown an upward trend, rising from $23,922 in 2013 to $28,139 in 2022, representing a 17.6% increase over the decade. This growth has not been steady, with fluctuations including a dip to $21,896 in 2015. Periods of rapid income growth correlate with accelerations of demographic shifts.
The population of Islandview has decreased overall, from 7,406 in 2013 to 7,037 in 2022, a 5% decline. This population loss, combined with increasing diversity and rising median income, could suggest a pattern of gentrification.
The demographic shifts in Islandview mirror trends seen in many urban areas across the United States, where historically Black neighborhoods are experiencing increased racial diversity and rising property values. The median income growth in Islandview, while positive, still leaves the neighborhood below the national median household income.
The gradual increase in diversity in Islandview, particularly the growth of the White population, reflects a broader trend of urban revitalization seen in many parts of Detroit over the past decade. However, the persistence of a strong Black majority distinguishes Islandview from some other rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods.
Islandview presents a picture of a community in slow transition, maintaining its character as a predominantly Black neighborhood while gradually becoming more diverse and experiencing modest economic growth. These changes bring both opportunities and challenges for long-term residents and newcomers alike, as the community navigates the dynamics of urban change.
