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Demographic Transitions and Racial Composition in Pleasant Street, Gainesville: A Decade of Change
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Pleasant Street in Gainesville, Florida, experienced significant demographic fluctuations from 2013 to 2022. The neighborhood transitioned between White Majority, Moderate Diversity, and Black Plurality categories during this period. In 2022, the white population stood at 66%, categorizing the area as a White Majority neighborhood. The median income levels in the area showed notable volatility over the decade.
The neighborhood underwent several transitions in its racial composition. Starting as a White Majority community in 2013 with 64% white residents, it shifted between Moderate Diversity and Black Plurality categories from 2014 to 2021. The black population reached its peak at 37% in 2021. By 2022, the area reverted to a White Majority status with 66% white residents, indicating a significant shift in a single year.
The median income in Pleasant Street demonstrated remarkable volatility, correlating with the demographic shifts. From 2013 to 2016, when the area was transitioning from White Majority to Moderate Diversity, the median income remained relatively low, ranging from $17,990 to $21,055. A significant increase occurred in 2017, with the median income rising to $35,813, coinciding with a shift back towards a higher white population percentage.
The highest median income was recorded in 2018 at $36,616, corresponding with a period of relative stability in racial composition. As the black population percentage increased from 2019 to 2021, the median income showed a declining trend, dropping to $21,908 in 2021. The sharp increase in white population in 2022 coincided with a rise in median income to $28,097.
The demographic shifts observed in Pleasant Street reflect broader trends of increasing diversity seen in many urban areas across the United States. The volatility of these shifts may be influenced by Gainesville's status as a college town, home to the University of Florida. The presence of a large student population can lead to more frequent demographic changes as students move in and out of neighborhoods.
The economic fluctuations, particularly the sharp increase in median income from 2016 to 2017, are noteworthy. However, the overall median income levels remain significantly below the national median household income, which was around $67,521 in 2020, indicating that Pleasant Street faces economic challenges.
Pleasant Street presents a complex picture of demographic and economic change. Its transitions between various diversity categories over the past decade, coupled with significant income fluctuations, suggest a neighborhood in flux. These changes may be reshaping the character of this historic area and could have implications for community cohesion, local businesses, and future development plans.
