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Demographic Transition in Wissinoming: From White Plurality to Hispanic Plurality
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Wissinoming, a neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, transitioned from a predominantly white area to a majority-minority community between 2013 and 2022. As of 2022, Wissinoming is categorized as a "Majority-Minority" community with "Moderate Diversity." The neighborhood has historical connections to the Tacony Iron Works, which influenced its development.
In 2013, Wissinoming had "Moderate Diversity" with a white plurality of 48%. Over the next decade, the neighborhood underwent a transformation. From 2013 to 2017, it was a transitional community, with a decline in the white population percentage from 48% to 34% and increases in Black and Hispanic populations. By 2017, Wissinoming had fully transitioned to a Majority-Minority status, with no single racial group constituting a majority. This trend continued through 2022.
From 2019 to 2022, Wissinoming approached "High Diversity" status, with three racial groups (White, Black, and Hispanic) each representing over 29% of the population. The most significant changes include Hispanic population growth from 21% in 2013 to 35% in 2022, a decline in white population from 48% in 2013 to 29% in 2022, and a slight increase in Black population from 26% in 2013 to 30% in 2022.
The demographic shifts in Wissinoming occurred alongside fluctuations in median income. From 2013 to 2016, median income decreased from $40,390 to $36,231, coinciding with the initial phase of demographic transition. From 2017 to 2022, as the neighborhood stabilized into its new demographic composition, median income gradually increased, reaching $39,868 in 2022. Despite economic fluctuations, the neighborhood's population grew from 20,828 in 2013 to 23,008 in 2022, suggesting its increasing attractiveness or affordability.
Wissinoming's demographic evolution reflects broader trends observed in many urban areas across the United States. Many U.S. cities have experienced growing diversity, particularly with rising Hispanic populations. The initial decline in median income followed by a recovery could indicate gentrification processes, common in many urban neighborhoods undergoing demographic shifts. Despite demographic changes, the neighborhood's median income in 2022 is comparable to its 2013 level, suggesting a degree of economic stability through the transition.
Wissinoming has undergone a significant demographic transformation over the past decade, evolving from a predominantly white neighborhood to a diverse, majority-minority community. This shift has been accompanied by economic fluctuations, but the area has shown resilience, maintaining a stable population and recovering its median income levels. These changes reflect broader urban trends and highlight the dynamic nature of neighborhood demographics in American cities.
