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Demographic Transition in Sharon Heights: From Black Majority to Increasing Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Sharon Heights, a neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is classified as a "Black Majority" community with 65% of the population identifying as Black in 2022. The neighborhood has undergone significant demographic changes and economic fluctuations over the past decade. Sharon Heights has experienced a substantial increase in its Hispanic population and median income, indicating a transitional period for this historically predominantly Black community.
From 2013 to 2022, Sharon Heights transitioned from a "Low Diversity" community to one approaching "Moderate Diversity." In 2013, the neighborhood was categorized as "Low Diversity" with 78% Black population. By 2020, it reached peak "Black Majority" status at 82%. From 2020 to 2022, there was a noticeable shift towards greater diversity: Black population decreased from 82% to 65%, Hispanic population increased from 3% to 12%, White population increased slightly from 8% to 11%, and Native American population grew from 2% to 4%. This transition suggests Sharon Heights is becoming a "Transitional Community," moving towards increased racial diversity.
The demographic shifts correlate with significant changes in median income. From 2013 to 2017, there was slow growth from $17,107 to $24,601. Between 2018 and 2020, income remained relatively stable around $25,000-$26,000. In 2021, there was a sharp increase to $38,957, followed by a decline to $26,552 in 2022, closer to pre-2021 levels. The population has grown steadily, from 1,395 in 2013 to 2,149 in 2022, a 54% increase.
The sudden spike in median income in 2021 coincides with the most rapid diversification of the neighborhood, suggesting a possible influx of higher-income residents from diverse backgrounds. However, the subsequent decline in 2022 indicates this may have been a temporary phenomenon or possibly related to pandemic-era economic fluctuations.
The trends in Sharon Heights reflect broader national patterns of increasing diversity in urban neighborhoods. The growth in the Hispanic population aligns with national demographic trends, where the Hispanic population has been one of the fastest-growing segments in many U.S. cities.
The economic volatility, particularly the sharp rise and fall in median income between 2021 and 2022, may be indicative of wider economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recovery efforts. Many U.S. communities experienced similar fluctuations during this period due to factors such as stimulus payments, changes in employment patterns, and shifts in housing markets.
Sharon Heights is undergoing a significant transformation from a predominantly Black, low-diversity neighborhood to a more diverse community. This change is accompanied by economic fluctuations that suggest a complex interplay between demographic shifts and economic factors. The neighborhood's evolution reflects broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas, while also demonstrating unique local dynamics that warrant further investigation to fully understand their long-term implications for community development and social cohesion.
