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Racial Composition and Economic Trends in Bethel-Bishop-Chappel Neighborhood, Columbia, South Carolina: 2013-2022
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Bethel-Bishop-Chappel neighborhood in Columbia, South Carolina, represents a Low Diversity community with a Black Majority. In 2022, 93% of the population identifies as Black, with a median income of $17,367. The neighborhood has maintained a consistent racial composition over the past decade, despite broader national trends towards increasing diversity in urban areas.
From 2013 to 2022, Bethel-Bishop-Chappel has remained in the Low Diversity and Black Majority categories. The Black population has consistently comprised over 90% of the neighborhood, with minimal fluctuations. There has not been a significant transition between diversity categories, indicating a stable racial composition. The Hispanic population has shown a slight increase from 1% in 2013 to 4% in 2022, potentially indicating the beginning of a gradual shift towards slightly more diversity.
The median income in Bethel-Bishop-Chappel has fluctuated over the decade. From 2013 to 2019, there was a general upward trend, with median income rising from $12,573 to $18,290, representing a 45% increase. However, this progress was not sustained, with income dropping to $14,351 in 2021 before recovering slightly to $17,367 in 2022. These economic changes do not appear to have significantly influenced the racial demographics of the area.
The persistent Low Diversity and Black Majority status of Bethel-Bishop-Chappel contrasts with national trends towards increasing diversity in many urban areas. The median income in Bethel-Bishop-Chappel, even at its peak in 2019 ($18,290), remains significantly below the national median household income, which was around $65,712 in 2019. This indicates that the neighborhood faces considerable economic challenges compared to national averages.
The stability of the racial composition in the face of economic fluctuations suggests strong community ties and potentially limited housing mobility for residents. It may also indicate a lack of investment or development that might otherwise attract a more diverse population.
Bethel-Bishop-Chappel presents a case of demographic stability in an era of increasing diversity elsewhere. While there have been fluctuations in economic conditions, these have not significantly altered the racial makeup of the neighborhood. This stability may offer benefits in terms of community cohesion but also raises questions about economic opportunities and potential barriers to diversity that may exist in the area.
