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Demographic Shifts in Lochside, Durham: A Study of Racial Composition from 2013 to 2022
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Lochside, a neighborhood in Durham, North Carolina, exhibits a demographic profile categorized as a Black Majority community. As of 2022, the Black population comprises 62% of the neighborhood, with a median income of $61,648. Lochside has undergone demographic changes over the past decade, transitioning from a more diverse community to one with a clear racial majority.
In 2013, Lochside exhibited a Moderate Diversity profile, with the Black population at 48% and the White population at 44%. From 2013 to 2017, the neighborhood transitioned from Moderate Diversity to Black Plurality as the Black population increased slightly while the White population decreased. By 2018, the Black population surpassed 50%, shifting the neighborhood into the Black Majority category. From 2020 to 2022, the Black Majority status solidified with the Black population increasing to 72% in 2020, then slightly decreasing but remaining above 60% in subsequent years.
The Hispanic population fluctuated between 3% and 20% over the decade, while the Asian population remained consistently low at 1-2%. The demographic shifts correlate with changes in median income. During the Moderate Diversity period (2013-2017), median income ranged from $78,925 to $89,459. As the neighborhood transitioned to a Black Majority (2018-2019), median income declined, dropping to $66,552 in 2019. With the solidification of the Black Majority (2020-2022), median income showed volatility, increasing to $82,886 in 2020 before declining to $61,648 in 2022.
The population of Lochside grew from 889 in 2013 to 1,351 in 2022, suggesting increased neighborhood attractiveness despite changing demographics. This demographic shift towards a Black Majority aligns with trends seen in some urban areas across the United States, where historically diverse or predominantly white neighborhoods have experienced an increase in Black populations.
The fluctuation in median income, particularly the decline coinciding with the solidification of the Black Majority, raises questions about economic disparities and potential gentrification pressures. Despite the recent decline, the 2022 median income of $61,648 remains above the national median household income of approximately $70,784 in 2021.
The transition of Lochside from a moderately diverse community to one with a clear racial majority over a decade represents a significant change that likely impacts local life, community dynamics, and potentially local policies and services. This trend warrants further investigation into factors such as housing policies, economic development initiatives, and community engagement efforts in Durham that may have influenced or responded to these demographic shifts.
