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Demographic Shifts in Three Rivers: From Low to Moderate Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Three Rivers, a neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio, has transitioned from a "Low Diversity" community with a strong white majority to a "Moderate Diversity" community with a white plurality between 2013 and 2022. The neighborhood's population in 2022 was 3,948 with a median income of $79,387. Three Rivers is located at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy Rivers.
The demographic composition of Three Rivers has changed significantly over the past decade. In 2013, the white population constituted 73% of the neighborhood, categorizing it as "Low Diversity." By 2022, this percentage had decreased to 59%, while the Black population increased from 21% in 2013 to 37% in 2022. This shift has resulted in the neighborhood's reclassification as "Moderate Diversity."
The neighborhood has not yet reached the threshold for "High Diversity," which requires three racial groups to each represent over 10% of the population. However, if current trends continue, Three Rivers may approach "Majority-Minority" status in the future.
Concurrent with demographic changes, Three Rivers has experienced fluctuations in median income. The median income increased from $70,156 in 2013 to $86,191 in 2021, before decreasing slightly to $79,387 in 2022. This overall upward trend in income coincides with the increasing diversity of the neighborhood.
The population of Three Rivers has remained relatively stable over the decade, with some fluctuations. It reached a peak of 4,453 in 2016 and has since stabilized around 4,000 residents. The stability in population size, combined with increasing diversity and rising incomes, may indicate a gradual turnover of residents.
The demographic shifts observed in Three Rivers align with broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States. The steady increase in the Black population percentage, coupled with rising median incomes, could indicate a growing Black middle class in Columbus or reflect broader patterns of urban migration and neighborhood change.
The median income in Three Rivers ($79,387 in 2022) is higher than the national median household income, which was approximately $70,784 in 2021. This suggests that Three Rivers is a relatively affluent neighborhood within Columbus.
The neighborhood's transition from low to moderate diversity, while maintaining a white plurality, reflects a common pattern in many American cities where historically predominantly white neighborhoods are becoming more diverse. The significant increase in the Black population percentage may warrant further investigation into local policies, housing trends, or economic factors specific to Columbus that might be driving this change.
Three Rivers presents a case study of a neighborhood in transition, moving from low to moderate diversity while experiencing economic growth. These changes likely have implications for local businesses, schools, and community dynamics, and may continue to shape the neighborhood's identity in the coming years.
