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Demographic Shifts in South Oak Hill: From Low to Moderate Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
South Oak Hill, a neighborhood in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, currently exhibits a Moderate Diversity demographic profile with a white plurality. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a population of 3,045 and a median income of $62,056. South Oak Hill has undergone significant demographic changes over the past decade, transitioning from a predominantly white area to a more diverse community.
In 2013, South Oak Hill was categorized as having Low Diversity, with the white population comprising 43% of the total, while other racial groups had smaller representations. Over the next decade, the neighborhood underwent a notable transformation. From 2013 to 2017, there was a steady decrease in the white population percentage, dropping from 43% to 36%, while Asian and Black populations increased. By 2017, the neighborhood reached a state of High Diversity, with no racial group exceeding 40% of the population and at least three groups (White, Asian, and Black) having significant representation (over 10% each). In recent years, the white population has rebounded slightly, reaching 48% in 2022, while Asian and Black populations remain significant at 23% and 24% respectively.
The demographic shifts in South Oak Hill have been accompanied by fluctuations in median income. From 2013 to 2016, as the neighborhood became more diverse, median income rose from $49,306 to $64,387, suggesting that the influx of diverse populations may have brought economic benefits. During the years of highest diversity (2017-2020), median income fluctuated, reaching a peak of $65,165 in 2018 before declining to $60,395 in 2020. As the community settled into a Moderate Diversity profile in 2021-2022, median income stabilized around $62,000.
These trends suggest that while increased diversity initially correlated with rising incomes, the relationship became more complex over time, possibly influenced by broader economic factors.
The demographic evolution of South Oak Hill reflects broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban areas. Many U.S. suburbs have experienced similar transitions from predominantly white communities to more diverse neighborhoods over the past decade. However, South Oak Hill's relatively rapid transition to High Diversity and subsequent stabilization at Moderate Diversity is somewhat unique.
The economic trajectory of South Oak Hill, with its initial income growth followed by fluctuation and stabilization, may be indicative of the complex economic impacts of diversification in suburban communities. While increased diversity often brings economic benefits through a wider range of skills and perspectives, it can also present challenges in terms of community integration and resource allocation.
South Oak Hill's journey from Low Diversity to Moderate Diversity over the past decade, coupled with its economic fluctuations, presents a microcosm of the demographic and economic changes occurring in many American suburbs. This transformation likely has implications for local policies, community services, and social dynamics within the neighborhood.
