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Memorial Heights: A Study of Hispanic Racial Majority and Low Diversity in a San Antonio Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Memorial Heights, a neighborhood in San Antonio, Texas, is classified as a Low Diversity community with a Hispanic Racial Majority. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a population of 4,482 and a median income of $28,541. Memorial Heights is located near Fort Sam Houston, which may have influenced its demographic composition.
Memorial Heights has maintained its status as a Low Diversity community with a Hispanic Racial Majority over the past decade. The Hispanic population has remained stable, comprising 94-96% of the neighborhood's residents from 2013 to 2022. This stability indicates an established Hispanic community. The White population has fluctuated between 3-6% over the years. In 2021-2022, a small percentage (1%) of residents identifying as two or more races emerged.
The median income in Memorial Heights has fluctuated over the past decade without a clear trend. In 2013, the median income was $30,837, decreasing to $28,541 by 2022. The highest median income was recorded in 2019 at $32,027, while the lowest was in 2016 at $27,145. These economic fluctuations do not appear to correlate strongly with the minor demographic shifts observed.
The population has remained relatively stable, ranging from about 4,100 to 5,100 residents over the decade. This stability in both population and racial composition suggests limited in- or out-migration.
Memorial Heights' demographic makeup contrasts with the overall demographics of San Antonio. While San Antonio has a significant Hispanic population (about 64% as of 2020), Memorial Heights' 96% Hispanic population is notably higher. The median household income in Memorial Heights ($28,541 in 2022) is significantly lower than the median household income for San Antonio overall, which was around $55,000 in 2020.
The stability of the Hispanic population in Memorial Heights, despite economic fluctuations, could indicate strong community ties and cultural preferences for remaining in the area. This trend aligns with patterns seen in some Hispanic-majority neighborhoods across the United States, where cultural bonds and family networks often contribute to demographic stability even in the face of economic challenges.
Memorial Heights presents a case of a highly stable, low-diversity neighborhood with a strong Hispanic majority. While it has not experienced significant demographic shifts, the community's economic fluctuations and consistently lower median income compared to the broader city suggest ongoing socio-economic challenges. The emergence of a small multi-racial population in recent years may indicate the potential for gradual diversification in the future, but Memorial Heights remains a distinctly Hispanic enclave within San Antonio.
