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Demographic Stability and Economic Growth in Belmont: A Study of Racial Composition
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Belmont, a neighborhood in Columbia, South Carolina, exhibits low diversity with a strong racial majority of Black residents. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a population of 1,179 and a median income of $29,585. Belmont has maintained its predominantly Black demographic composition over the past decade, showing stability in its racial makeup.
From 2013 to 2022, Belmont has consistently been categorized as low diversity and racial majority, with the Black population comprising over 80% of residents. The neighborhood has shown a trend towards less diversity over time, with the Black population percentage increasing from 86% in 2013 to 95% in 2022. The White population has decreased from 7% in 2013 to 2% in 2022. The Hispanic population has fluctuated between 1% and 13% over the years but remains at 3% in 2022.
The median income in Belmont has shown an upward trend, rising from $17,206 in 2013 to $29,585 in 2022, representing an increase of about 72% over this period. This economic improvement has occurred alongside the increase in racial homogeneity, suggesting that the predominantly Black community has experienced economic gains without significant demographic change.
The population of Belmont has fluctuated over the years, peaking at 1,729 in 2010 and reaching a low of 1,179 in 2022. This population decrease, coupled with rising median incomes, might indicate a process of neighborhood change where some lower-income residents have potentially been displaced as the area becomes more economically prosperous.
The demographic stability of Belmont is notable when compared to national trends. Many urban areas across the United States have been experiencing increasing racial diversity, particularly with growth in Hispanic and Asian populations. Belmont's trend towards greater racial homogeneity is therefore unusual.
The economic improvement in Belmont, while significant, still leaves the neighborhood with a median income well below the national average. In 2022, the U.S. median household income was around $70,784, more than double that of Belmont. This suggests that while the neighborhood has made economic strides, it still faces challenges in terms of overall economic well-being compared to national standards.
The combination of increasing racial homogeneity and rising incomes in Belmont presents a case study in neighborhood development. It challenges assumptions about diversity and economic growth often seen in urban areas and raises questions about the factors contributing to this pattern of demographic stability alongside economic improvement.
