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Demographic Transition in Overplace: From White Majority to Increasing Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Overplace, a neighborhood in Abilene, Texas, currently exhibits a White Majority demographic composition, with 56% of the population identifying as white in 2022. The community is showing signs of increasing diversity, trending towards a Moderate Diversity classification. The median income of $40,270 in 2022 suggests a working-class to lower-middle-class economic profile. Overplace has seen a population increase from 4,335 residents in 2019 to 4,778 in 2022, indicating its emerging attractiveness as a residential area.
Over the past decade, Overplace has undergone a gradual transition from a more homogeneous White Majority community to one approaching Moderate Diversity. In 2013, the white population constituted 64% of the total. By 2022, this percentage had decreased to 56%, just above the threshold for majority status. The Hispanic population has shown the most significant growth, increasing from 25% in 2013 to 30% in 2022. This shift, coupled with modest increases in other minority groups, suggests that Overplace is becoming a Transitional Community. The consistent upward trend in Hispanic representation, along with increases in the Two or More Races category (from 1% in 2013 to 5% in 2022), supports this classification.
The demographic shifts in Overplace have occurred alongside fluctuations in median income. From 2013 to 2022, the median income has remained relatively stable, starting at $39,442 in 2013 and ending at $40,270 in 2022. There were notable variations within this period, with a peak of $43,591 in 2018 followed by a decline. The periods of higher diversity seem to correlate with slightly higher median incomes. The years 2017-2019, which saw increased representation from Asian and Hispanic populations, also witnessed the highest median incomes of the decade. This suggests that increased diversity may be associated with economic opportunities or reflect broader economic changes in the area.
The population growth, particularly sharp between 2021 and 2022 (from 4,480 to 4,778), indicates that Overplace is becoming an increasingly attractive neighborhood. This growth might be driven by its affordability combined with increasing diversity, potentially appealing to a broader range of residents.
The demographic shifts in Overplace mirror broader trends seen across many American cities, where traditionally white-majority areas are becoming more diverse. The growth in the Hispanic population reflects statewide trends in Texas, where the Hispanic community has been the fastest-growing demographic group. Overplace's economic trends diverge somewhat from national patterns. While many urban areas have seen significant income growth over the past decade, Overplace's median income has remained relatively stable. This could suggest that while the neighborhood is diversifying, it may not be experiencing the same level of economic development or gentrification seen in some other transitioning communities across the country.
Overplace is undergoing a gradual but significant demographic transformation, moving from a White Majority community towards Moderate Diversity. This shift, primarily driven by growth in the Hispanic population, is reshaping the neighborhood's cultural landscape. These changes have coincided with population growth, suggesting that Overplace's evolving character is attracting new residents. As this transition continues, it will be important to monitor how these demographic changes impact community dynamics, local services, and economic opportunities in the years to come.
