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Demographic Shifts in Mid-Cambridge: From White Majority to Increasing Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Mid-Cambridge, a neighborhood in Cambridge, Massachusetts, currently exhibits characteristics of a Moderate Diversity community with a White Plurality. As of 2022, the white population constitutes 61% of the residents, with Asian (19%) and Black (7%) populations. The neighborhood has a median income of $110,267 in 2022, reflecting its status as part of the Cambridge area, known for its proximity to institutions like Harvard University and MIT.
Over the past decade, Mid-Cambridge has transitioned from Low Diversity to Moderate Diversity. In 2013, the neighborhood had Low Diversity with a White Majority (73% white). By 2022, the white population decreased to 61%, while Asian and Black populations increased, shifting the neighborhood to a Moderate Diversity classification with a White Plurality.
This transition appears to be part of a Transitional Community trend, with increases in minority populations, particularly Asian residents (from 12% in 2013 to 19% in 2022) and Black residents (from 4% in 2013 to 7% in 2022). The Hispanic population has remained relatively stable, around 7-8% throughout the decade.
The demographic shifts in Mid-Cambridge have coincided with economic growth. The median income has risen from $82,892 in 2013 to $110,267 in 2022, a 33% increase over nine years. This economic uplift correlates with the increasing diversity, suggesting that the neighborhood has attracted professionals from various racial backgrounds.
The population has grown from 12,623 in 2013 to 14,556 in 2022, an increase of about 15%. This population growth, coupled with rising incomes and increasing diversity, indicates an evolving urban landscape that is becoming more attractive to a wider range of residents.
The trends observed in Mid-Cambridge align with patterns seen in many urban areas across the United States, particularly in knowledge-economy hubs. The increase in Asian population is consistent with national trends in tech-centric areas, where Asian Americans often make up a significant portion of the workforce in STEM fields.
The gradual decrease in the white population percentage, while still maintaining a plurality, reflects a common pattern in many American cities where increasing diversity is changing the demographic makeup of traditionally white-majority neighborhoods. This trend is often associated with economic growth and the attraction of highly skilled workers from diverse backgrounds to innovation-driven economies.
The income growth in Mid-Cambridge outpaces the national average, which is typical for areas associated with universities and high-tech industries. This economic trajectory, combined with increasing diversity, suggests that Mid-Cambridge is following a path similar to other gentrifying urban neighborhoods in major metropolitan areas, where economic opportunities draw a diverse, highly educated population.
Mid-Cambridge's evolution over the past decade demonstrates a shift towards greater racial diversity coupled with economic growth. This transition reflects broader urban trends of increasing multiculturalism in knowledge-economy centers, potentially bringing both the benefits of diversity and the challenges of maintaining affordability and inclusivity in a changing urban environment.
