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Demographic Trends in Penrose, Philadelphia: A Study of Black Majority and Racial Composition
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Penrose, a neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is characterized as a Black Majority community with a median income of $37,835 as of 2022. The neighborhood has maintained this racial composition over the past decade, displaying a Low Diversity profile. Penrose is known for its historic architecture, including many row houses typical of Philadelphia's urban landscape.
Throughout the 2013-2022 period, Penrose has remained in the Black Majority category, with the Black population consistently representing over 60% of residents. The Black population percentage increased from 64% in 2013 to 72% in 2022. The White population decreased from 24% in 2013 to 12% in 2022. The Asian population fluctuated but generally increased from 6% in 2013 to 5% in 2022, peaking at 12% in 2020. The Hispanic population remained relatively stable around 2-4%. There was an increase in the Two or More Races category from 0% in 2013 to 8% in 2022.
The median income in Penrose has shown volatility over the decade. It increased from $37,316 in 2013 to $39,355 in 2018. There was a spike to $51,123 in 2021, followed by a decline to $37,835 in 2022. Despite these fluctuations, the overall trend shows minimal long-term growth, with 2022's median income only slightly higher than 2013's. The population has fluctuated, decreasing from 4,086 in 2010 to 3,631 in 2022, with some years of growth in between.
The demographic trends in Penrose reflect broader patterns seen in many urban neighborhoods across the United States. The increase in the Black majority and decrease in the White population could indicate continued racial segregation patterns in urban areas. The growth in the multiracial population aligns with national trends, as the U.S. has seen an increase in people identifying as two or more races in recent years. The economic volatility, particularly the sharp rise and fall in median income between 2021 and 2022, may be related to the broader economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recovery efforts. The overall stagnation in median income, when compared to national trends of increasing income inequality, suggests that Penrose may be facing economic challenges common to many urban neighborhoods.
Penrose has maintained its character as a Black Majority neighborhood, but has experienced subtle shifts towards increased diversity, particularly in its multiracial population. Economic indicators suggest ongoing challenges, with income levels remaining relatively stagnant over the decade despite short-term fluctuations. These trends reflect broader urban patterns of persistent racial segregation and economic struggles in many American cities.
