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Demographic Transition in St. Johns Bluff: From Low to Moderate Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
St. Johns Bluff, a neighborhood in Jacksonville, Florida, has experienced significant demographic changes over the past decade. As of 2022, the neighborhood is categorized as having "Moderate Diversity," with a population distribution of 51% white residents, 22% Black residents, and 21% Asian residents. The neighborhood has a population of 1,032 and a median income of $108,779 in 2022, indicating an affluent and diverse community.
From 2013 to 2017, St. Johns Bluff was characterized by "Low Diversity" with a predominantly white population, peaking at 100% in 2017. A significant shift began in 2018, marking the start of a "Transitional Community" phase. The white population decreased while Black and Hispanic populations increased. The most substantial change occurred between 2020 and 2021, with the white population dropping from 77% to 52%, accompanied by significant increases in both Black and Asian populations.
The demographic shifts coincided with fluctuations in median income. The neighborhood experienced a steady increase in median income from $95,445 in 2013 to $145,649 in 2018, aligning with the period of "Low Diversity." As the community transitioned towards greater diversity, there was an initial decline in median income, dropping to $108,718 in 2020. However, it has since stabilized around $108,000-$122,000, suggesting that the increased diversity has not led to a significant long-term decrease in overall neighborhood affluence.
The rapid diversification of St. Johns Bluff is notable when compared to national trends. The substantial increase in Asian and Black populations in a previously predominantly white, affluent area suggests a potential shift in local housing policies or economic opportunities that have made the neighborhood more accessible to diverse groups.
This trend towards increased diversity in high-income areas is consistent with broader national patterns of growing diversity in suburban and traditionally affluent neighborhoods. The maintenance of high median incomes despite this diversification suggests that the new diverse residents are likely high-income professionals, possibly attracted by local economic opportunities or changes in the local job market.
St. Johns Bluff presents a case study of rapid demographic transition in a high-income neighborhood. Its evolution from a low-diversity, predominantly white area to a moderately diverse community with maintained affluence offers insights into changing patterns of residential integration and economic opportunity in American cities. This transformation may have implications for local community dynamics, school systems, and cultural institutions as they adapt to serve a more diverse population while maintaining the area's economic strengths.
