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Dixon Park: A Study of Racial Demographics and Economic Trends
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Dixon Park, a neighborhood in Savannah, Georgia, currently exhibits a "White Majority" demographic composition, with 59% of its population identifying as white in 2022. The community has experienced fluctuations in its racial makeup over the past decade, transitioning between "White Majority" and "Moderate Diversity" categories. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a population of 714 and a median income of $26,385, which is below the national average. Dixon Park is located near historic downtown Savannah and contains a mix of residential and light commercial areas, reflecting the broader urban fabric of the city.
Over the past decade, Dixon Park has oscillated between "White Majority" and "Moderate Diversity" categories. In 2013, the neighborhood was categorized as "Moderate Diversity," with white residents comprising 55% of the population and significant black (30%) and Hispanic (13%) communities. By 2016, the area transitioned to a "White Majority" with 63% white residents. However, this shift was not permanent, as the neighborhood returned to "Moderate Diversity" in 2019 with white residents at 52% and black residents at 35%. The most recent data from 2022 shows a return to "White Majority" status, with 59% white residents.
These fluctuations suggest a dynamic community experiencing ongoing demographic changes. The shifts may be attributed to factors such as gentrification, changing housing preferences, or broader economic trends affecting Savannah.
The median income in Dixon Park has shown volatility over the observed period. Starting from $18,471 in 2013, it peaked at $32,926 in 2017 before declining to $26,385 in 2022. This economic trend correlates with the demographic shifts. The period of increasing diversity (2013-2016) coincided with a sharp increase in median income, rising from $18,471 to $27,050. The peak income year of 2017 ($32,926) aligned with a stable "White Majority" period. The return to "Moderate Diversity" in 2018-2019 saw a decline in median income to around $30,000. The most recent shift back to "White Majority" in 2020-2022 has been accompanied by a further decrease in median income to $26,385.
These trends suggest that while increased diversity initially corresponded with economic growth, recent years have seen a decoupling of this relationship. The current "White Majority" status is occurring alongside lower median incomes compared to the peak years.
The demographic shifts in Dixon Park reflect broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States, where gentrification and changing urban preferences are reshaping neighborhood compositions. However, the economic trajectory of Dixon Park diverges from national trends. While many urban areas have seen consistent income growth over the past decade, Dixon Park's median income in 2022 is only slightly higher than it was in 2013, suggesting localized economic challenges.
The neighborhood's racial composition, while majority white, still shows higher diversity than many suburban areas, aligning more closely with urban demographic patterns. The significant presence of black and Hispanic communities, even as minorities, indicates that Dixon Park maintains a level of diversity characteristic of many evolving urban neighborhoods.
Dixon Park presents a complex picture of a neighborhood in flux, balancing between periods of increased diversity and white majority status, while grappling with economic challenges. This ongoing evolution reflects the dynamic nature of urban demographics and the complex interplay between racial composition and economic factors in American cities.
