Loading Content...
Demographic Transition in Grainger-Whittemore: From Black Majority to Increasing Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Grainger-Whittemore neighborhood in Conway, South Carolina, has transitioned from a Black Majority community to a Black Plurality with increasing diversity over the past decade. As of 2022, the Black population comprises 46% of the neighborhood, followed by White at 40%, with growing Hispanic and multiracial populations. The median income in 2022 was $29,954, indicating a lower-middle-income area. The presence of Coastal Carolina University likely influences the neighborhood's demographic composition and economic dynamics.
From 2013 to 2022, Grainger-Whittemore underwent significant demographic shifts. The Black population decreased from 75% to 46%, while the White population increased from 20% to 40%. The Hispanic population grew from 2% to 7%, and the multiracial population increased from 3% to 6%. These changes suggest a trend towards increasing diversity, possibly influenced by the university and broader demographic shifts in the region.
The median income in Grainger-Whittemore has shown overall growth, increasing from $22,914 in 2013 to $29,954 in 2022, a rise of approximately 31%. However, this growth has not been consistent, with fluctuations throughout the decade. The population has grown from 2,519 in 2013 to 3,014 in 2022, a 20% increase. This population growth, combined with increasing diversity and rising median income, indicates that the neighborhood is attracting a more diverse range of residents.
The demographic shifts in Grainger-Whittemore reflect broader national trends of increasing diversity in many urban and suburban areas. The growth in Hispanic and multiracial populations aligns with national demographic changes. However, the significant decrease in the Black population percentage is more pronounced than national averages, suggesting local factors at play, such as the university's expansion or changes in local housing policies.
The median income growth, while positive, still places Grainger-Whittemore below the national median household income, which was approximately $70,784 in 2021. This disparity may be partially explained by the presence of a large student population, who typically have lower incomes.
The neighborhood's transition from Low Diversity to Moderate Diversity with a Black Plurality is significant. It represents a microcosm of changing racial dynamics in many American communities, especially those influenced by educational institutions. The economic growth, though modest, coupled with increasing diversity, suggests a neighborhood in transition, potentially offering new opportunities and challenges as it evolves.
