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Demographic Shifts in West Washington, Albany: A Study of Racial Diversity from 2013 to 2022
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
West Washington, a neighborhood in Albany, California, has undergone significant demographic changes from 2013 to 2022. As of 2022, the area is classified as "High Diversity" with no racial majority. Asian and White populations each comprise 39% of residents, with other racial groups making up the remaining 22%. The neighborhood's median income is $89,270, and its proximity to the University of California, Berkeley, may influence its demographic composition.
From 2013 to 2022, West Washington transitioned from a "White Majority" area to one of "High Diversity." In 2013, 54% of the population identified as White. By 2015, it had become a "Majority-Minority" area, and by 2018, it entered a period of "Moderate Diversity." The 2022 data shows equal representation of Asian and White populations at 39% each, with 14% identifying as two or more races.
Economic trends in West Washington have fluctuated alongside demographic shifts. Median income increased from $91,565 in 2013 to $105,808 in 2016, coinciding with the transition from White Majority to Majority-Minority status. From 2017 to 2022, income levels were more volatile, dropping to $85,482 in 2018, rising to $106,341 in 2021, and declining to $89,270 in 2022. The population decreased from 1,376 residents in 2017 to 902 in 2022.
The demographic changes in West Washington align with broader trends observed in many urban areas across the United States, particularly in California. The increase in Asian population from 20% in 2013 to 39% in 2022 reflects the growing Asian-American presence in areas near major universities and tech hubs.
The neighborhood's high diversity is consistent with national trends towards increasing racial and ethnic diversity in metropolitan areas. The equal representation of Asian and White populations at 39% each may be influenced by proximity to UC Berkeley and the Bay Area's demographic composition.
Fluctuating median income in West Washington, while showing overall growth over the decade, mirrors economic volatility experienced in many high-cost urban areas in California. The recent population decline, despite increasing diversity, could be related to issues affecting many California cities, such as housing affordability and changing work patterns.
West Washington's evolution from a White Majority area to a highly diverse neighborhood with equal representation of Asian and White populations exemplifies the dynamic demographic changes occurring in many urban American neighborhoods. The economic fluctuations accompanying these shifts highlight the complex interplay between diversity, economic prosperity, and local socio-economic factors.
