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Demographic Transitions in North Fairmount: A Study of Race and Income
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
North Fairmount, a neighborhood in Cincinnati, Ohio, exhibits a demographic profile categorized as a "Black Majority" community. As of 2022, the African American population comprises 66% of residents. The neighborhood has experienced an increase in racial diversity over the past decade. The median income in North Fairmount was $24,601 in 2022, indicating a low-income area below the national average. North Fairmount has historical significance as part of Cincinnati's urban renewal efforts in the mid-20th century, which influenced its current demographic landscape.
Over the past decade, North Fairmount has transitioned from a "Low Diversity" community towards "Moderate Diversity." In 2013, the neighborhood was categorized as "Black Majority" with 74% African American residents. This majority status has been maintained throughout the decade, but the Black population percentage decreased to 66% by 2022. There has been an increase in residents identifying as two or more races, rising from 2% in 2013 to 17% in 2022. This shift suggests a trend towards a more diverse community composition. The white population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 8% and 15% over the decade.
These changes indicate that North Fairmount is becoming a "Transitional Community," with increasing racial diversity, particularly in the multiracial category. This transition could be attributed to factors such as changing housing patterns, generational shifts, or broader demographic trends in the Cincinnati area.
The demographic shifts in North Fairmount have occurred alongside economic changes. The median income increased from $17,269 in 2013 to $24,601 in 2022, representing a 42.5% growth. Despite this increase, the neighborhood's median income remains below national averages. As the community has become more diverse, there has been a corresponding increase in median income. This could suggest that the influx of a more diverse population might be bringing in residents with slightly higher incomes, potentially contributing to gradual economic improvement in the area.
The population of North Fairmount has decreased from 2,169 in 2013 to 1,907 in 2022, a decline of about 12%. This population decrease, coupled with increasing diversity and rising median income, might indicate a complex interplay of gentrification pressures and ongoing socio-economic challenges.
The trends observed in North Fairmount align with broader national patterns of increasing racial diversity in urban neighborhoods. Many U.S. cities have experienced similar transitions in historically African American neighborhoods, with growing multiracial populations and gradual economic shifts. However, the persistent low median income, despite its increase, suggests that North Fairmount faces ongoing economic challenges common to many inner-city neighborhoods. The community's evolution reflects the complex dynamics of urban change, where demographic diversification doesn't always correlate with substantial economic improvement.
In comparison to national trends, North Fairmount's increasing diversity is more pronounced, particularly in the rapid growth of its multiracial population. This could position the neighborhood as a microcosm of broader demographic shifts occurring across the United States, albeit with its own unique local context and challenges.
