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Demographic Shifts in West Akron: From Black Majority to Increasing Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
West Akron, a neighborhood in Akron, Ohio, is currently characterized as a Black Majority community with a median income of $42,772 as of 2022. The neighborhood has undergone significant demographic changes over the past decade, moving towards increased diversity. West Akron is recognized for its historic homes and tree-lined streets, providing a combination of urban and suburban living near downtown Akron.
In 2013, West Akron was classified as a Black Majority community, with 70% of the population identifying as Black. Over the past decade, while maintaining its Black Majority status, the neighborhood has shown indications of transitioning towards a more diverse composition. The Black population decreased from 70% in 2013 to 59% in 2022, still constituting a majority but showing a significant decline. The White population increased slightly from 26% to 30% during this period. The Hispanic population, while small, tripled from 1% to 3%. The most notable change was in the "Two or More Races" category, increasing from 1% to 7%, indicating a trend towards a Transitional Community.
The median income in West Akron has shown overall growth, increasing from $36,048 in 2013 to $42,772 in 2022, a rise of about 18.6%. This economic improvement correlates with the increasing diversity in the neighborhood. The rise in median income coincides with the slight increase in the White population and the growth of multi-racial residents, potentially indicating an influx of higher-income diverse households. Despite the overall income growth, there was a slight dip in median income from 2021 to 2022, which may be related to broader economic factors or demographic shifts.
The population of West Akron has decreased from 20,944 in 2013 to 18,066 in 2022, a decline of about 13.7%. This population decrease, coupled with increasing diversity and rising incomes, might suggest a gentrification process or changing neighborhood dynamics.
The trends observed in West Akron mirror broader national patterns of increasing diversity in urban areas. Many U.S. cities have experienced similar demographic shifts, with traditionally Black-majority neighborhoods seeing an influx of diverse populations and accompanying economic changes. The growth in the multi-racial population is particularly noteworthy, as it reflects a national trend of increasing multi-racial identifications, especially among younger generations.
The economic growth in West Akron, while positive, may not have kept pace with national averages. The U.S. median household income grew by approximately 30% from 2013 to 2022, compared to West Akron's 18.6% growth. This suggests that while the neighborhood is experiencing economic improvement, it may be lagging behind national economic trends.
West Akron is undergoing a gradual transformation from a predominantly Black Majority community to a more diverse neighborhood. This shift is accompanied by modest economic growth and changing population dynamics. These trends suggest that West Akron is in a period of transition, potentially moving towards greater diversity and economic development in the coming years.
