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Demographic Transition in Old Farm: From Black Majority to Diverse Plurality
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Old Farm, a neighborhood in Durham, North Carolina, has undergone significant demographic changes from 2013 to 2022. The community transitioned from a Black Majority to a Black Plurality status. In 2013, African Americans constituted 67% of the population, which decreased to 49% by 2022. This shift has led to increased diversity in the neighborhood.
The demographic transition occurred in stages. From 2013 to 2016, Old Farm maintained its Black Majority status with declining percentages. Between 2017 and 2019, it entered a Transitional Community phase, experiencing significant increases in White and Hispanic populations. From 2020 to 2022, the neighborhood shifted to a Black Plurality as the African American population dropped below 50%.
Concurrent with these demographic changes, Old Farm experienced notable economic shifts. The median income remained relatively stable from 2013 to 2017, ranging from $57,609 to $58,715 during the Black Majority period. However, from 2018 to 2022, there was a sharp decline in median income from $58,040 to $42,117, coinciding with the increase in diversity.
The economic downturn in Old Farm may be attributed to an influx of lower-income residents from diverse backgrounds, potential job market changes affecting the traditional resident base, or broader economic pressures on the neighborhood. This trend contrasts with many urban areas that have seen rising incomes with increased diversity, suggesting unique local factors at play.
The growth in the Hispanic population in Old Farm, from 3% in 2013 to 16% in 2022, aligns with national demographic shifts but occurs at a more accelerated rate. This rapid change suggests the neighborhood may be becoming a new hub for Hispanic residents in Durham. The decline in the African American population percentage, while still remaining the largest group, reflects a national trend of African American dispersal from traditional urban centers.
Old Farm exemplifies a community in transition, moving from a predominantly African American neighborhood to a more diverse but economically challenged area. This transformation reflects broader national trends of increasing diversity but with distinct local economic pressures. The changes observed in Old Farm warrant further investigation and potentially targeted community support initiatives.
