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Demographic Transition in Southside Park: From Black Majority to White Majority (2013-2022)
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Southside Park, a neighborhood in Charlotte, North Carolina, exhibits a notable demographic profile as of 2022. It is classified as a "Moderate Diversity" community with a White majority (56%) and significant Black representation (36%). The neighborhood has undergone a substantial economic change, with median income increasing from $13,687 in 2021 to $70,470 in 2022. This increase suggests a rapid gentrification process, particularly significant given the neighborhood's history as a predominantly Black community.
Over the past decade, Southside Park has experienced a significant demographic transition. In 2013, it was categorized as "Low Diversity" with a "Black Majority" (99%). This status remained until approximately 2017 when it began shifting towards a "Black Plurality" as other racial groups increased their presence.
The most significant shift occurred between 2019 and 2020, when the neighborhood transitioned from a "Black Plurality" (61% Black in 2019) to a "White Majority" (57% White in 2020). This rapid change classifies Southside Park as a "Transitional Community," with the White population maintaining its majority status through 2022 at 56%.
The demographic shifts correlate with economic changes. From 2013 to 2019, the median income remained relatively stable between $10,000 and $13,500. Coinciding with the racial demographic shift in 2020, there was a notable increase in median income. The most dramatic change occurred between 2021 and 2022, with median income increasing from $13,687 to $70,470.
This income increase aligns with the influx of White residents, suggesting that higher-income individuals and families, likely of White background, have moved into the area, displacing or outnumbering the previous lower-income, predominantly Black residents.
The rapid gentrification observed in Southside Park is part of a broader trend seen in many urban areas across the United States. The dramatic income increase from 2021 to 2022 far outpaces national trends. For context, the U.S. median household income increased by about 10% between 2019 and 2021, while Southside Park saw an increase of over 400% in just one year.
The population growth from 731 in 2010 to 2,064 in 2022 indicates significant development and influx of new residents, likely tied to urban renewal projects or new housing developments that have attracted a different demographic.
This case study of Southside Park provides an example of how rapid urban development and gentrification can alter the demographic and economic landscape of a neighborhood in a short time frame, raising questions about community preservation, affordable housing, and the social implications of such changes.
