Loading Content...
Demographic Trends in Steep Brook: A Study of Racial Composition and Income
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Steep Brook, a neighborhood in Fall River, Massachusetts, is classified as a Low Diversity community with a White Majority. As of 2022, the neighborhood's population was 7,963, with a median income of $74,827. Steep Brook is characterized by its historic charm, featuring many 19th-century houses and a strong sense of community, reflecting its long-standing demographic stability.
Over the past decade, Steep Brook has maintained its status as a Low Diversity community with a White Majority. However, subtle signs of gradual transition towards increased diversity are evident. The percentage of white residents has decreased from 94% in 2013 to 84% in 2022. The Hispanic population has shown the most significant change, growing from 2% in 2013 to 9% in 2022, suggesting a potential transition to a Transitional Community. The Black population increased slightly from 1% in 2013 to 3% in 2022, and the category of two or more races also grew from 1% in 2013 to 3% in 2022.
The demographic shifts in Steep Brook correlate with significant changes in median income. The median income has increased from $64,191 in 2013 to $74,827 in 2022, representing a 16.6% increase over nine years. A notable peak in median income occurred in 2021 at $92,328, followed by a decrease in 2022. Despite income growth, the population has remained relatively stable, decreasing slightly from 8,225 in 2013 to 7,963 in 2022.
Steep Brook's demographic changes reflect broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban and urban neighborhoods, although the rate of diversification appears slower than national averages. The income growth in the neighborhood outpaces the national average, which saw about a 10% increase in median household income over a similar period.
The stability of Steep Brook's population, combined with increasing diversity and rising incomes, suggests a neighborhood that is evolving while maintaining its essential character. This pattern differs from many urban areas that experience more rapid demographic shifts or gentrification-induced displacement.
Steep Brook is showing signs of a gradual transition from a Low Diversity, White Majority community to a potentially more diverse neighborhood. The economic growth and stability in population indicate that this transition is occurring without dramatic upheaval to the community's fabric. As this trend continues, it will be important to monitor how these changes affect local culture, community dynamics, and economic opportunities in the neighborhood.
