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Demographic Transition in Eastside, Manchester: From White Majority to Moderate Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Eastside, a neighborhood in Manchester, Connecticut, has transformed from a predominantly White area to a Majority-Minority community with Moderate Diversity between 2013 and 2022. The population of Eastside in 2022 was 3,707 with a median income of $42,165. This neighborhood has experienced significant demographic changes over the past decade.
In 2013, Eastside was categorized as having a White Majority, with 54% of the population identifying as white. By 2018, the area had transitioned to a Majority-Minority status, with no single racial group constituting more than 50% of the population. As of 2022, the neighborhood exhibited Moderate Diversity, with significant representation from Hispanic (34%), White (28%), and Black (26%) communities.
The most notable changes include a decline in the White population from 54% in 2013 to 28% in 2022, an increase in the Hispanic population from 23% to 34%, growth in the Black population from 19% to 26%, and a rise in the Asian population from 1% to 11%. These shifts indicate that Eastside has been a Transitional Community throughout this period, moving towards greater diversity.
The demographic changes in Eastside have occurred alongside fluctuations in median income. In 2013, the median income was $43,427. It experienced a decline to $33,659 in 2014, coinciding with the initial stages of demographic transition. The income levels have since shown a gradual upward trend, reaching $42,165 in 2022, nearly returning to the 2013 level. The population of Eastside has decreased from 3,879 in 2013 to 3,707 in 2022, despite the increasing diversity.
The demographic shifts observed in Eastside align with broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban areas. Many U.S. cities have experienced similar transitions from predominantly White communities to more diverse, multicultural neighborhoods. This change often reflects patterns of immigration, changing housing preferences, and economic opportunities attracting diverse populations to previously homogeneous areas.
The economic fluctuations in Eastside, particularly the decline and subsequent recovery in median income, may reflect broader economic challenges faced by many American communities in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis and subsequent recovery. The gradual income recovery, despite significant demographic changes, suggests a dynamic and adaptable local economy.
Eastside exemplifies a neighborhood in transition, moving from a Low Diversity, White Majority area to a Moderate Diversity, Majority-Minority community over the course of a decade. This transformation reflects broader national trends towards increasing diversity in suburban areas and demonstrates the neighborhood's capacity for change and adaptation in the face of demographic and economic shifts.
