Loading Content...
Demographic Transformation of College Downs: From Moderate Diversity to Black Majority
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
College Downs, a neighborhood in Charlotte, North Carolina, exhibits a demographic profile categorized as a "Black Majority" community. As of 2022, the African American population comprises 58% of the neighborhood's residents. The median income is $34,823 and the population is 5,909, reflecting a working-class urban area. The neighborhood is located near the University of North Carolina at Charlotte campus.
Over the past decade, College Downs has undergone a transformation in its racial composition. In 2013, the neighborhood was characterized by "Moderate Diversity," with a mix of Black (42%), White (37%), and Asian (11%) residents. By 2017, the community had transitioned to a "Black Plurality" with 52% African American residents. By 2021, College Downs had become a "Black Majority" neighborhood, with 57% of the population identifying as Black.
The Hispanic population has increased from 8% in 2013 to 12% in 2021. The White population has decreased from 37% in 2013 to 25% in 2022. The Asian population has declined from 11% in 2013 to 2% in 2022. These shifts indicate that College Downs could be classified as a "Transitional Community," with trends towards increasing Black and Hispanic populations and decreasing White and Asian populations.
The demographic changes in College Downs have occurred alongside fluctuations in median income. In 2013, the median income was $33,882, which declined to $29,695 in 2016 before increasing to $34,823 in 2022. This trend in income correlates with the shifting racial demographics. The population of College Downs has fluctuated, peaking at 6,885 in 2019 before declining to 5,909 in 2022.
The demographic shifts observed in College Downs mirror broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas. The increase in the Black population and decrease in White and Asian populations is more pronounced than typical national averages. This could be due to local factors such as proximity to the university, changes in the local job market, or shifts in housing affordability.
The median income in College Downs ($34,823 in 2022) is lower than the national median household income, which was approximately $70,784 in 2021. This disparity suggests that College Downs faces economic challenges that may be influencing its demographic makeup.
College Downs has evolved from a moderately diverse neighborhood to a Black Majority community over the past decade, with concurrent economic fluctuations. These changes reflect broader urban demographic trends but occur at a more accelerated pace. The neighborhood's transition underscores the dynamic nature of urban demographics and the interplay between racial composition and economic factors in shaping community characteristics.
