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Demographic Transition in Inez Neighborhood: From White to Hispanic Majority
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
DATA SOURCE
United States Census Bureau: American Community Survey Data (ACS)
The Inez neighborhood in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has undergone a significant demographic transition over the past decade. In 2022, the neighborhood is classified as a Hispanic Majority community, with 59% of its population identifying as Hispanic. This represents a shift from its status as a White Majority community in 2013. The population of Inez has grown substantially, increasing from 734 residents in 2015 to 1,497 in 2022. The median income in the neighborhood was $49,231 in 2022, which is a decrease from previous years.
The demographic composition of Inez has changed notably since 2013. At the beginning of the decade, the neighborhood was categorized as White Majority, with 52% of the population identifying as white. By 2017, it had transitioned to a Majority-Minority status, where no single racial group constituted over 50% of the population. The Hispanic population continued to increase, leading to the current Hispanic Majority status by 2020. This shift can be classified as a Transitional Community, characterized by a consistent increase in the Hispanic population from 37% in 2013 to 59% in 2022, while the white population decreased from 52% to 34% during the same period.
The demographic changes in Inez have coincided with fluctuations in median income. During the initial years of transition from 2013 to 2017, the median income rose from $36,721 to $57,108. It reached a peak of $71,166 in 2018 when the community was in a period of Moderate Diversity. As the Hispanic population became the majority, there was a decline in median income, dropping to $49,231 by 2022. These trends indicate a complex relationship between demographic changes and economic conditions in the neighborhood.
The demographic shift observed in Inez aligns with broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States, particularly in Southwestern states like New Mexico, where Hispanic populations have been growing rapidly. The economic fluctuations in Inez, including the recent decline in median income, may reflect challenges faced by growing Hispanic communities nationwide. However, the neighborhood's median income remains close to the national median, suggesting some economic resilience despite demographic changes.
The significant population growth in Inez, nearly doubling over a decade, is a notable feature of its demographic transition. This growth may indicate the neighborhood's attractiveness to new residents, particularly within the Hispanic community. Factors such as affordable housing, cultural amenities, or employment opportunities may be driving this population increase.
In conclusion, the Inez neighborhood exemplifies a community in transition, moving from a White Majority to a Hispanic Majority over the past decade. This shift has been accompanied by economic fluctuations, presenting both opportunities and challenges for community development and integration. The neighborhood's evolution reflects broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas, particularly in the Southwest, and highlights the complex interplay between demographic changes and economic conditions in American communities.
