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Demographic Transition in Ridgeview: From Black Majority to Moderate Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Ridgeview neighborhood in Hickory, North Carolina, has undergone a significant demographic shift from 2013 to 2022. Initially a predominantly Black community, it has transitioned to a moderately diverse area. As of 2022, the neighborhood had a population of 807 and a median income of $20,675, indicating a lower-income community.
The most notable changes in racial composition include a decline in the Black population from 70% in 2013 to 35% in 2022, an increase in the Hispanic population from 1% to 19%, and growth in the White population from 26% to 37%. These shifts have transformed Ridgeview from a "Low Diversity" area with a clear "Black Majority" to a "Moderate Diversity" neighborhood where no single racial group exceeds 50%.
The demographic changes have coincided with economic fluctuations. Median income peaked in 2015 at $29,877 during a period of relative stability in racial composition. As diversity increased from 2016 onwards, median income declined, reaching a low of $18,378 in 2021, before slightly recovering to $20,675 in 2022. The population has also decreased from 1,242 in 2013 to 807 in 2022.
The demographic shifts in Ridgeview align with broader national trends of increasing diversity in traditionally African American neighborhoods. The growth in the Hispanic population corresponds with national trends of Hispanic population growth in the Southeast. However, the significant decrease in the Black population percentage is more pronounced than typical national trends.
The economic decline observed in Ridgeview contrasts with national trends of overall income growth in the past decade. This suggests that the neighborhood faces unique challenges in terms of economic development and retention of higher-income residents.
In conclusion, Ridgeview has transformed from a predominantly Black, low-diversity neighborhood to a moderately diverse community with significant representation from Black, White, and Hispanic populations. This transition has been accompanied by economic challenges, as evidenced by declining median income and population. These changes likely have implications for community cohesion, local services, and cultural identity in Ridgeview.
