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Demographic Transition in Homewood, Illinois: From White Plurality to Black Majority (2013-2022)
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Homewood, Illinois, currently exhibits a diverse demographic composition classified as a "Majority-Minority" community. As of 2022, the Black population comprises 52% of the total, while White residents account for 37%. The median income in 2022 was $76,224, indicating an affluent suburban community.
Over the past decade, Homewood has undergone significant changes in its racial composition. In 2013, the community was categorized as having "Moderate Diversity," with White residents forming a plurality at 49% and Black residents at 36%. By 2018, the city transitioned to a "Majority-Minority" status, with Black residents becoming the largest group at 45% and White residents declining to 45%. This trend continued, and by 2021, the community reached a "Black Majority" status, which has persisted through 2022.
The Hispanic population has remained relatively stable, consistently representing 6-7% of the population throughout the decade. There has been a slight increase in residents identifying as two or more races, growing from 2% in 2013 to 4% in 2022, suggesting a gradual increase in multiracial families or individuals.
The median income in Homewood has shown some fluctuation over the years but has generally maintained a high level. It peaked in 2015 at $80,481 and reached a similar level again in 2021 at $80,521. The most recent figure of $76,224 in 2022 represents a slight decline but still indicates a comfortable economic status for the community.
The shift towards a Black majority has not coincided with a significant change in median income, suggesting that the incoming Black residents are likely of similar socioeconomic status to the existing population. This could indicate a trend of middle to upper-middle class Black families moving into the area.
The demographic shift in Homewood reflects a broader trend seen in many suburban areas across the United States, particularly those near large cities. This trend often involves the suburbanization of minority populations, especially middle-class Black families, moving from urban centers to suburban areas.
Based on the observed trends, Homewood is likely to continue as a "Black Majority" community in the near future, with the percentage of Black residents potentially increasing further. The community may be approaching a "Transitional Community" status, particularly if the trend of increasing multiracial residents continues.
Economically, the area is likely to maintain its relatively high median income, assuming no major economic disruptions. The stability of income levels despite demographic changes suggests that the area will likely remain attractive to middle and upper-middle class families of various racial backgrounds.
In the longer term, if current trends persist, Homewood could potentially transition back into a "High Diversity" category. This would occur if the Black population percentage stabilizes and other racial groups, particularly those identifying as multiracial or Hispanic, continue to grow, leading to a more evenly distributed racial composition.
This evolution reflects the dynamic nature of suburban demographics in the United States and underscores the importance of community planning and services that cater to an increasingly diverse population while maintaining economic stability.
