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Demographic Shifts in Oak Grove Community: From Moderate Diversity to White Plurality
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Oak Grove Community in Durham, North Carolina, currently presents as a "Racial Plurality" neighborhood with a White plurality of 56% as of 2022. The area has experienced demographic shifts over the past decade, transitioning from a more diverse community to one with a clearer racial plurality. Economically, Oak Grove Community has a median income of $119,300 in 2022, above the national average, suggesting it is an affluent suburb of Durham.
In 2013, Oak Grove Community exhibited "Moderate Diversity," with White (46%) and Black (37%) populations being the largest groups, and a Hispanic presence (11%). Over the decade, the neighborhood transitioned through several categorizations. From 2013-2017, it maintained "Moderate Diversity" with no clear majority. From 2018-2020, it shifted to "Majority-Minority" status, with the Black population slightly outpacing the White population. In 2021-2022, it transitioned to "White Plurality," with an increase in the White population to 56%.
The median income in Oak Grove Community has shown an upward trend, rising from $95,271 in 2013 to $119,300 in 2022, an increase of about 25%. The initial period of "Moderate Diversity" (2013-2017) saw income growth from $95,271 to $102,674. During the "Majority-Minority" period (2018-2020), incomes continued to rise, reaching $119,665 in 2020. The transition to "White Plurality" in 2021-2022 coincided with a peak in median income at $134,257 in 2021, before decreasing to $119,300 in 2022.
The demographic changes in Oak Grove Community reflect trends seen in many urban and suburban areas across the United States. The increase in median income and shift towards a White plurality could indicate gentrification, a process often observed in developing urban areas. The initial increase in diversity from 2013-2020 aligns with national trends of increasing suburban diversity. However, the recent shift to a White plurality is contrary to these broader patterns.
The high median income, particularly in recent years, may suggest growing income inequality within Durham, as Oak Grove Community appears to be more affluent than many other areas. The community's population has grown from 1,686 in 2013 to 4,625 in 2022, a 174% increase. This growth likely contributed to the demographic and economic changes, potentially reflecting broader trends of suburban expansion in the Durham area.
Oak Grove Community has undergone demographic and economic transitions over the past decade, evolving from a moderately diverse, middle to upper-middle-income area to an affluent, predominantly White neighborhood. These changes reflect dynamics of urban development, possibly including gentrification and selective migration, and highlight the relationship between economic growth and demographic composition in American suburbs.
