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Demographic Shifts in Northern Woods: From White Majority to Black Plurality
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Northern Woods, a neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio, has transitioned from a "White Majority" to a "Majority-Minority" demographic composition with a "Moderate Diversity" profile between 2013 and 2022. The neighborhood's population increased from 16,038 to 19,205, while the median income rose from $52,779 to $56,798 during this period.
The most significant demographic change occurred in racial composition. In 2013, 55% of the population identified as white. By 2022, the neighborhood shifted to a "Black Plurality" with 44% of the population identifying as Black, while the white population decreased to 39%. This change reflects a broader trend of increasing diversity in urban areas across the United States.
Another notable demographic shift was the increase in residents identifying as two or more races, rising from 2% in 2013 to 10% in 2022. This trend towards a more mixed-race population contributes to the area's growing diversity and could indicate a "Transitional Community" status.
The economic trends in Northern Woods show moderate growth alongside the demographic shifts. The 7.6% increase in median income over the decade, coupled with a 19.7% population growth, suggests that the area is becoming increasingly attractive to a diverse range of middle-income residents.
The demographic changes observed in Northern Woods align with broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban and suburban areas. Many U.S. cities have experienced similar transitions from predominantly white neighborhoods to more diverse communities, particularly in mid-sized cities like Columbus.
The economic growth in Northern Woods, while modest, outpaced the national inflation rate for the same period, indicating real economic gains for the neighborhood. This trend is noteworthy given the economic challenges faced by many communities during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021.
The increase in residents identifying as two or more races in Northern Woods (from 2% to 10%) exceeds the national trend. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the multiracial population in the United States grew from 2.9% in 2010 to 10.2% in 2020, suggesting that Northern Woods is at the forefront of this demographic shift.
Northern Woods exemplifies a neighborhood in transition, evolving from a predominantly white community to a diverse, majority-minority area with a growing economy. These changes reflect broader national trends towards increased diversity and suggest that the neighborhood is becoming a more inclusive and economically vibrant part of Columbus.
