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Racial Composition and Economic Growth in Eaton Heights, Manchester: A Study of Neighborhood Transformation
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Eaton Heights, a neighborhood in Manchester, New Hampshire, is characterized by Low Diversity with a White Majority. As of 2022, the population is 81% white and 11% Asian. The neighborhood has experienced significant economic growth, with the median income increasing from $66,685 in 2019 to $119,170 in 2022, indicating rapid gentrification. Eaton Heights is notable for its views of the Merrimack River and historic mill buildings converted into upscale lofts and offices, attracting young professionals and contributing to economic transformation.
Over the past decade, Eaton Heights has undergone a demographic transition. From 2013 to 2017, the neighborhood maintained Low Diversity with a White Majority above 90%. Beginning in 2018, diversity increased, primarily due to growth in the Asian population. The percentage of white residents decreased from 94% in 2017 to 81% in 2022, while the Asian population increased from 2% to 11% during the same period. This shift suggests a transition from Low Diversity to Moderate Diversity, although the neighborhood retains a White Majority. The increase in the "two or more races" category from 0% to 6% between 2021 and 2022 further supports this trend towards greater diversity.
The demographic shifts in Eaton Heights correlate with changes in median income. From 2013 to 2022, the median income increased from $71,764 to $119,170, representing growth of about 66%. This income growth coincides with the influx of Asian residents and increased racial diversity. The most significant increase in median income occurred between 2019 and 2020, rising from $66,685 to $115,862. This period also saw a notable increase in the Asian population percentage, suggesting the neighborhood may be attracting high-skilled, high-income Asian professionals, possibly in tech or healthcare sectors.
The population of Eaton Heights has grown from 2,149 in 2013 to 2,643 in 2022, indicating the neighborhood's increasing attractiveness to new residents.
The demographic and economic changes in Eaton Heights reflect broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States, particularly in tech hubs and areas with growing knowledge economies. The increasing Asian population and rising incomes are similar to patterns observed in places like Silicon Valley or Seattle's eastside suburbs.
Eaton Heights' transformation is notable within the context of New Hampshire, a state traditionally less diverse than the national average. The neighborhood's evolving demographics and rapidly rising incomes suggest it may be becoming a pocket of diversity and economic growth within the state, potentially driven by the expansion of tech or healthcare industries in the Manchester area.
The dramatic income increase, especially from 2019 to 2020, outpaces national trends and may indicate a particularly robust local economy or the arrival of a significant employer in the area. This economic growth, coupled with increasing diversity, positions Eaton Heights as a dynamic and evolving neighborhood that may serve as a model for economic development and diversification in similar mid-sized New England cities.
