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Dennis Port, Massachusetts: Demographic Transition from Low to Increasing Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Dennis Port, a census-designated place in Massachusetts, exhibits characteristics of Low Diversity, with a predominantly white population (80% in 2022). The neighborhood has shown signs of becoming a Transitional Community over the past decade. As of 2022, the median income was $56,467, below the Massachusetts state average. Dennis Port is known for its beaches and is a popular summer destination on Cape Cod, which influences its demographic and economic patterns.
From 2013 to 2022, Dennis Port has undergone a gradual transition from a community with extremely Low Diversity (96% white in 2013) to one that shows signs of becoming more diverse. The percentage of white residents decreased from 96% to 80% over this period, indicating a shift towards greater racial diversity. The Hispanic population has seen the most significant increase, growing from 1% in 2013 to 12% in 2022. This trend suggests that Dennis Port is evolving into a Transitional Community. The Black population also increased from negligible levels in 2013 to 4% in 2022, peaking at 10% in 2019 before declining slightly.
These changes indicate that Dennis Port is moving away from its historical status as an overwhelmingly white community towards a more diverse demographic makeup, though it has not yet reached the threshold for Moderate Diversity. The median income in Dennis Port has shown fluctuations over the past decade, with an overall upward trend. In 2013, the median income was $53,786, which dropped to $45,107 in 2014 before gradually increasing to $60,479 in 2019. Since then, it has stabilized around $56,000-$57,000.
The increase in diversity coincides with periods of both economic growth and decline. The most significant increase in diversity occurred between 2015 and 2016, during which time the median income also saw a substantial increase from $50,840 to $56,407. This suggests that the increasing diversity may be linked to economic opportunities attracting a more diverse population. The population has remained relatively stable over this period, fluctuating between 3,700 and 4,400 residents. This stability, combined with increasing diversity, suggests that the demographic changes are likely due to a combination of new residents moving in and existing residents moving out.
The trends observed in Dennis Port reflect broader national patterns of increasing diversity in many communities, particularly in terms of growth in Hispanic populations. The pace of change in Dennis Port appears to be slower than in many urban areas across the United States. The economic fluctuations in Dennis Port may be influenced by its status as a summer tourist destination. The seasonal nature of the local economy could explain some of the income volatility, as well as the gradual increase in diversity, potentially driven by job opportunities in the service and tourism sectors.
Dennis Port remains a predominantly white community, but it shows signs of transitioning towards greater diversity. This demographic shift, coupled with generally improving economic conditions, suggests a community in the early stages of significant change. As this trend continues, it will be important to monitor how these changes affect local culture, economy, and community dynamics in this coastal Massachusetts town.
