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East Mountain, Scranton: A Predominantly White Neighborhood Experiencing Gradual Racial Diversification
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
East Mountain, a neighborhood in Scranton, Pennsylvania, currently exhibits a predominantly White Majority demographic composition with signs of increasing diversity. As of 2022, the neighborhood is characterized by Low Diversity, with 82% of the population identifying as white. Recent trends suggest a gradual shift towards a more diverse community. East Mountain is known for its scenic views of the Scranton valley and is home to several parks and recreational areas.
Over the past decade, East Mountain has maintained its status as a White Majority community, but with notable changes. From 2013 to 2020, the neighborhood consistently fell under the Low Diversity category, with the white population comprising over 90% of residents. Since 2021, there has been a shift towards increased diversity, though still within the Low Diversity category. The white population decreased from 93% in 2017 to 82% in 2022, indicating a Transitional Community trend.
The most significant changes occurred in the Asian, Hispanic, and Two or More Races categories. The Asian population increased from 3% in 2017 to 6% in 2022. The Hispanic population grew from 2% to 4% in the same period. Those identifying as Two or More Races increased from 2% to 6%. These shifts suggest that East Mountain is slowly transitioning towards Moderate Diversity, though it has not yet reached that threshold.
The demographic changes in East Mountain correlate with significant economic shifts. Median income has shown substantial growth, rising from $65,334 in 2017 to $80,667 in 2022, a 23.5% increase. This income growth coincides with the increasing diversity, suggesting that the neighborhood may be attracting more affluent and diverse residents. Population has also grown steadily, from 6,851 in 2017 to 7,548 in 2022, a 10.2% increase. This population growth, coupled with rising incomes and increasing diversity, indicates a neighborhood experiencing positive economic development.
East Mountain's demographic and economic trends reflect broader national patterns. The gradual increase in diversity aligns with national trends of growing minority populations in traditionally white-majority areas. The significant income growth outpaces the national average, suggesting that East Mountain is becoming an increasingly desirable and affluent neighborhood within Scranton. The steady population growth, contrary to some rust belt cities experiencing population decline, indicates that Scranton, and particularly East Mountain, may be bucking regional trends and attracting new residents.
East Mountain is undergoing a gradual but noticeable transition from a highly homogeneous, white-majority community to a more diverse neighborhood. This shift is accompanied by strong economic growth, suggesting that the area is attracting a mix of affluent residents from various backgrounds. While still categorized as Low Diversity, the trends indicate a trajectory towards Moderate Diversity in the coming years if current patterns continue. These changes likely reflect broader urban renewal efforts in Scranton and could signal a reimagining of the neighborhood's identity and appeal within the larger city context.
