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Demographic Transition in Wintergreen: From Black Plurality to White Majority
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Wintergreen neighborhood in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, exhibits Moderate Diversity with a White Plurality as of 2022. The white population constitutes 52% of the community, with Hispanic (25%) and Black (15%) populations following. The neighborhood's median income of $42,633 in 2022 indicates a working-class to lower-middle-class socioeconomic profile. Wintergreen combines residential and light commercial areas, with a growing reputation for cultural diversity reflected in local businesses and community events.
Over the past decade, Wintergreen has experienced a significant transition in its racial composition. In 2013, the neighborhood had a Black Plurality (36%) with significant White (33%) and Hispanic (23%) populations, indicating Moderate Diversity. By 2017, the community shifted to a White Plurality (46%) while maintaining Moderate Diversity. The most recent data from 2022 shows a continuation of this trend, with the White population reaching 52%, potentially signaling a shift towards Lower Diversity if this trend continues.
The Hispanic population has shown overall growth, increasing from 14% in 2015 to 25% in 2022. This growth, combined with the decrease in the Black population from 36% in 2013 to 15% in 2022, indicates that Wintergreen could be classified as a Transitional Community, experiencing significant changes in its racial makeup over the past decade.
The demographic shifts in Wintergreen have been accompanied by fluctuations in median income. The median income peaked in 2017 at $52,537, coinciding with a more balanced racial distribution. Since then, there has been a general downward trend in median income, reaching $42,633 in 2022. This decline correlates with the increase in the Hispanic population and the decrease in the Black population, potentially reflecting changes in the local job market or economic opportunities.
The population of Wintergreen has fluctuated, peaking at 2,066 in 2016 and decreasing to 1,699 in 2022. This population decline, coupled with the changing racial composition and decreasing median income, suggests a period of economic and demographic transition for the neighborhood.
The trends observed in Wintergreen reflect broader patterns seen in many urban areas across the United States. The increase in Hispanic population is consistent with national demographic shifts, as the Hispanic population has been one of the fastest-growing ethnic groups in the country. The decline in the Black population percentage mirrors trends seen in some other urban areas where gentrification or changing economic conditions have led to demographic shifts.
The fluctuating median income in Wintergreen, with its peak in 2017 followed by a decline, diverges from national trends, which have generally shown slow but steady income growth over the past decade. This local divergence could indicate specific economic challenges or changes in the Winston-Salem area that are impacting the Wintergreen neighborhood more acutely.
Wintergreen exemplifies a neighborhood in transition, moving from a highly diverse community with a Black plurality to one with a growing White majority and significant Hispanic presence. These demographic shifts, coupled with economic fluctuations, suggest a community in flux, potentially facing challenges related to integration, economic opportunity, and community cohesion as it adapts to its changing composition.
