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Demographic Transition in Mount Vernon: Hispanic Majority and Racial Composition
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Mount Vernon, a neighborhood in San Bernardino, California, is classified as a "Hispanic Majority" community based on demographic data. As of 2022, the Hispanic population comprises 78% of the neighborhood's residents. The neighborhood has a population of 3,308 and a median income of $39,516, which is lower than the national median household income. Mount Vernon has historic roots, being one of the earliest settled areas in San Bernardino, with a history dating back to the mid-19th century.
Over the past decade, Mount Vernon has experienced significant demographic changes. In 2013, the neighborhood was classified as having "Moderate Diversity," with a Hispanic plurality (64%) and a significant Black population (23%). By 2015, it had transitioned to a "Hispanic Majority" community, with the Hispanic population reaching 81%. This demographic composition has been maintained through 2022, with some fluctuations.
The Black population has decreased from 23% in 2013 to 13% in 2022, while other racial groups have maintained relatively stable, but minor, representations. This trend suggests a "Transitional Community" status, particularly in the earlier years of the decade, as the Hispanic population increased and other groups decreased.
The median income in Mount Vernon has fluctuated over the years, showing no clear linear trend. From $30,183 in 2013, it peaked at $47,227 in 2017, before settling at $39,516 in 2022. This volatility in income levels suggests economic instability in the neighborhood.
The transition to a Hispanic Majority coincided with an initial increase in median income from 2013 to 2017. However, this economic improvement was not sustained, as incomes have since declined and fluctuated. This pattern may indicate that while the demographic shift brought some initial economic benefits, long-term economic challenges persist in the community.
The population of Mount Vernon has fluctuated, peaking at 4,393 in 2014 and then gradually declining to 3,308 in 2022. This population decrease, coupled with income volatility, suggests ongoing socio-economic challenges in the neighborhood.
The demographic shift in Mount Vernon aligns with broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States, where Hispanic populations have grown significantly. The economic volatility experienced in Mount Vernon is not uncommon in urban neighborhoods undergoing rapid demographic changes. However, the persistent low median income compared to national averages indicates that the neighborhood faces particular economic challenges.
The decrease in the Black population percentage, while the Hispanic population increased, reflects a pattern seen in some other urban areas where one minority group becomes predominant as another decreases. This shift can lead to changes in community dynamics, cultural expression, and potentially in local political representation.
Mount Vernon's evolution over the past decade from a moderately diverse community to a Hispanic Majority area, coupled with its economic fluctuations, presents a complex picture of a neighborhood in transition. While the demographic shift has been decisive, the economic benefits have been inconsistent, suggesting that the community may still be adapting to these changes and facing ongoing socio-economic challenges.
