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Oakview Terrace: A Study of Racial Composition and Economic Trends in a Predominantly Black Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Oakview Terrace, a neighborhood in Charlotte, North Carolina, exhibits characteristics of a "Low Diversity" community with a strong "Black Majority" as of 2022. The racial composition shows 88% of residents identifying as Black, with a White population at 10%. The median income in 2022 was $27,539, indicating a lower-income area within the broader Charlotte metropolitan region. Oakview Terrace has experienced significant fluctuations in both population and income over the past decade, suggesting a community in transition.
From 2013 to 2022, Oakview Terrace has consistently maintained its status as a "Black Majority" neighborhood. However, there have been subtle shifts within this categorization. From 2013-2017, the neighborhood showed extreme low diversity, with the Black population consistently above 80% and minimal representation from other groups. In 2018-2019, a notable shift occurred, with the White population increasing from 7% to 22%, briefly pushing the neighborhood towards "Moderate Diversity." However, this change was short-lived. From 2020-2022, the community reverted to its "Low Diversity" status with a strong Black majority, though the White population has steadily increased from 1% to 10% over this period.
The median income in Oakview Terrace has shown significant volatility over the past decade. From 2013-2017, there was a period of steady income growth from $14,315 to $26,163, coinciding with a relatively stable racial composition. In 2018-2019, there was a sharp decline in median income to $16,044, correlating with the brief period of increased racial diversity. From 2020-2022, there was a rapid recovery and growth in median income, reaching $30,964 in 2021 before slightly decreasing to $27,539 in 2022. This period aligns with the return to a strong Black majority but with a gradually increasing White population.
The population has also fluctuated, peaking at 1,424 in 2016 and dropping to 773 in 2019, before stabilizing around 1,000 residents in recent years.
Oakview Terrace's demographic and economic trends can be contextualized within broader national patterns. The neighborhood's persistent Black majority contrasts with many urban areas experiencing gentrification and demographic shifts towards increased diversity or white population growth. The income volatility, particularly the sharp decline and subsequent recovery between 2018 and 2022, may reflect local economic factors or policy changes unique to Charlotte or this specific neighborhood. The gradual increase in the White population since 2020, albeit small, could indicate the beginning of a gentrification process seen in many urban areas across the United States. The median income of $27,539 in 2022 is significantly below the national median household income, highlighting Oakview Terrace as a lower-income neighborhood within the broader economic landscape.
Oakview Terrace presents a complex picture of a predominantly Black, low-diversity neighborhood showing early signs of demographic and economic change. The community's resilience in maintaining its racial composition while experiencing significant income fluctuations suggests a delicate balance between preserving community identity and adapting to broader urban economic pressures.
