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Demographic Transition in Brice, Ohio: From White Majority to Black Majority (2013-2022)
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Brice in Ohio exhibits a demographic profile categorized as a "Black Majority" community as of 2022. The African American population comprises 65% of the total, indicating a significant shift from previous years. The neighborhood has undergone notable demographic changes over the past decade, accompanied by fluctuations in median income. Brice has experienced recent population growth, contrasting with many small Midwestern communities facing population decline.
In 2013, Brice had a "White Majority" with 60% of the population identifying as white. Over the next decade, the community transformed. By 2017, it became a "Black Plurality" area, with the African American population reaching 53%. By 2020, Brice solidified its status as a "Black Majority" community, with 67% of residents identifying as Black. This shift represents an inversion of the racial makeup in less than a decade, suggesting significant in-migration of African American residents and/or out-migration of white residents. The Hispanic population increased from 4% in 2013 to 9% in 2022, contributing to the community's diversification.
The median income in Brice has shown volatility over the observed period. In 2013, the median income was $27,037, increasing to $57,811 by 2019. However, it declined to $47,002 in 2020, possibly due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the median income has remained relatively stable, reaching $47,509 in 2022. The period of rapid income growth (2013-2019) coincided with the transition from a White Majority to a Black Plurality community, suggesting the demographic shift may have been driven by an influx of middle-class African American residents.
The population of Brice has fluctuated, decreasing from 1,966 in 2010 to 1,421 in 2016, before increasing to 2,219 in 2022. This recent growth aligns with the solidification of the Black Majority status and the stabilization of median income, indicating a possible new equilibrium in the community's demographic and economic profile.
The demographic shift in Brice is notable compared to broader trends. While many small Midwestern communities have experienced population decline and struggled to maintain diversity, Brice has seen both population growth and increased racial diversity. This trend may reflect broader patterns of suburbanization among African American populations, observed in several metropolitan areas across the United States.
The economic volatility, particularly the decline in median income from 2019 to 2020, likely reflects the national economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the relative stability of income since 2020 suggests a degree of economic resilience in the community.
Brice presents a case study of rapid demographic transition coupled with economic fluctuations. Its evolution from a White Majority to a Black Majority community within a decade, accompanied by population growth and income changes, offers insights into the dynamic nature of small-town demographics in the United States. This transition may present opportunities and challenges for community cohesion, local governance, and economic development in the future.
