Demographic Transition in Davis West: From High Diversity to Hispanic Majority
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
DATA SOURCE
The Davis West neighborhood in San Leandro, California, has undergone a significant demographic transition from 2013 to 2022. Initially categorized as a highly diverse area, it has evolved into a Hispanic Majority community. As of 2022, the Hispanic population comprises 71% of the neighborhood, with a median income of $76,417.
In 2013, Davis West exhibited high diversity with Asian (41%), Hispanic (25%), White (16%), and Black (9%) populations. Over the following years, the neighborhood maintained moderate diversity as the Hispanic population gradually increased. By 2018, it had become a Majority-Minority community, with the Hispanic population (42%) forming a plurality. Between 2020 and 2022, the Hispanic population surged from 48% to 71%, establishing a clear Hispanic Majority.
The transition appears to have been driven by a substantial influx of Hispanic residents coupled with a decline in the Asian and White populations. The Asian population decreased from 41% in 2013 to 16% in 2022, while the White population dropped from 16% to 7% over the same period.
The median income in Davis West has fluctuated over the past decade. From 2013 to 2016, there was a decline from $71,872 to $63,560. From 2017 to 2021, the neighborhood experienced significant income growth, peaking at $99,645 in 2021. The most recent data for 2022 shows a decline in median income to $76,417, coinciding with the establishment of a clear Hispanic majority.
Population figures show steady growth from 1,125 in 2013 to 1,920 in 2022, indicating that the neighborhood has become increasingly attractive to new residents, particularly those of Hispanic origin.
The demographic shift in Davis West reflects broader trends seen in many California cities, where Hispanic populations have been growing rapidly. The economic fluctuations, especially the sharp rise and subsequent fall in median income between 2017 and 2022, may be indicative of broader Bay Area economic trends.
The transition from a highly diverse community to one with a clear racial majority in less than a decade is unusual and may have significant implications for local culture, businesses, and community services. This rapid change could present both opportunities and challenges for community cohesion and local governance.
