POpulation density
Over the last 70 years, the population of Roxborough (specifically, the area surrounding the school) has not changed dramatically.
In the 1960's, we can see the the area is considered to be densely populated overall, with slightly less than 15,000 individuals per square mile.
In the 1990's, we do see a dip in the population density overall, with most regions exhibiting a density far less than 15,000 individuals per square mile. This could be partially attributed to the economic downturn the area faced in the 1980's, but we are hesitant to draw strong conclusions because after comparing this map to the other two, we think the population density may have been calculated using different rubrics in this map than in 1960 and 2010.
The 2010 map seems strikingly similar to the 1960's map, as population density again rises to around 15,000 people per square mile.
Race
In the 1960's, the population of Roxborough was predominantly White, especially to the southwest of the general area. Although a minority, there was a significant presence of Black individuals as well. Overall, there is almost zero representation by Hispanics (or as they call it, individuals with "Puerto Rican or Spanish Surnames.")
As we transition into the 1990's, we see a shift in the racial makeup of Roxborough. The percentage of the population who identify as White increases, especially in the areas of Roxborough that are to the southwest of Philadelphia. Conversely, the population of Blacks decreases in those areas and begins to cluster more closely to the "city" side of Roxborough. This is consistent with the overall tend of "White Flight" away from urban centers and into the more suburban areas surrounding the cities. During this time, the Hispanic population rises slightly, but remains low overall.
In 2010, we see a slight decrease in this polarization as the percentage of Black residents rises slightly in what had been areas dominated by Whites. However, the overall trend of Whites being clustered in the southwest and Blacks being clustered in the Northeast remains, and the Hispanic population, while still low, grows slightly in some neighborhoods.
As we transition into the 1990's, we see a shift in the racial makeup of Roxborough. The percentage of the population who identify as White increases, especially in the areas of Roxborough that are to the southwest of Philadelphia. Conversely, the population of Blacks decreases in those areas and begins to cluster more closely to the "city" side of Roxborough. This is consistent with the overall tend of "White Flight" away from urban centers and into the more suburban areas surrounding the cities. During this time, the Hispanic population rises slightly, but remains low overall.
In 2010, we see a slight decrease in this polarization as the percentage of Black residents rises slightly in what had been areas dominated by Whites. However, the overall trend of Whites being clustered in the southwest and Blacks being clustered in the Northeast remains, and the Hispanic population, while still low, grows slightly in some neighborhoods.
Wealth/Employment
In the 1960's, most people living within what is considered "Roxborough" were not wealthy, with most making under $25,000 a year. Most wealthier families lived in select communities within Roxborough, as evidenced by the map. Overall employment hovered around 60% throughout the region.
In 1990, the percent of the population employed rose slightly over the region. Now our marker of relative wealth is households making more than $75,000 a year, and interestingly, we can see a pattern of wealth clustering on the outskirts of the region, while poverty remains centered.
In 2010, while the rate of employment remains around the same, we can see a dramatic restructuring of the wealth. Although more wealth is still clustered around the outskirts of the region, suddenly many more households in the center are part of the group making more than $100,000 annually. We believe this can be partially attributed to the "revitalization" of nearby Main Street in Manayunk during the early 1990's, which started with the opening of several new restaurants and shops. Business and commerce meant to appeal to young, wealthy consumers followed, and the region saw a rise in popularity among that demographic.
In 1990, the percent of the population employed rose slightly over the region. Now our marker of relative wealth is households making more than $75,000 a year, and interestingly, we can see a pattern of wealth clustering on the outskirts of the region, while poverty remains centered.
In 2010, while the rate of employment remains around the same, we can see a dramatic restructuring of the wealth. Although more wealth is still clustered around the outskirts of the region, suddenly many more households in the center are part of the group making more than $100,000 annually. We believe this can be partially attributed to the "revitalization" of nearby Main Street in Manayunk during the early 1990's, which started with the opening of several new restaurants and shops. Business and commerce meant to appeal to young, wealthy consumers followed, and the region saw a rise in popularity among that demographic.
family structure
These maps represent the percentage of the population who live in households as married couples. By viewing these maps, we can also visualize the percentage of the population who do not fall into the "married" category, which could include single individuals, single parents, divorcees, widows and widowers, and other "nontraditional" family structures.
In the 1960's, we see a married couples generally dominating the area, with the overall percentage hovering around 60-70%.
In the 1990's, we see a slight decrease in the percentage throughout the region, as the general percentage of married couples falls to around 40% regionally. As the map shows, there are isolated pockets in the region where there are extremely high densities of married couples, and a few regions where the density of married couples is extremely low.
In 2010, the percentage of married couples swings up slightly, hovering around 50% regionally. During our recent surveys, many community members we talked to expressed wanting to move to Roxborough because of its safe, family-structured community, so it's not surprising that many of the households in the region do contain "traditional" married couples. What is interesting to note in all three graphs, however, is that while about half of Roxborough's population is generally surveyed as "married", the overall percentage of married couples in the immediately surrounding regions is even higher, especially as we move into 2010.
In the 1960's, we see a married couples generally dominating the area, with the overall percentage hovering around 60-70%.
In the 1990's, we see a slight decrease in the percentage throughout the region, as the general percentage of married couples falls to around 40% regionally. As the map shows, there are isolated pockets in the region where there are extremely high densities of married couples, and a few regions where the density of married couples is extremely low.
In 2010, the percentage of married couples swings up slightly, hovering around 50% regionally. During our recent surveys, many community members we talked to expressed wanting to move to Roxborough because of its safe, family-structured community, so it's not surprising that many of the households in the region do contain "traditional" married couples. What is interesting to note in all three graphs, however, is that while about half of Roxborough's population is generally surveyed as "married", the overall percentage of married couples in the immediately surrounding regions is even higher, especially as we move into 2010.
Information and images on this page: US Demography 1790 to Present. (n.d.). Retrieved August 9, 2015, from http://www.socialexplorer.com/6f4cdab7a0/explore
Manayunk. (n.d.). Retrieved July 1, 2015, from http://planningpa.org/presentations09/24_Manayunk_Handout_FILE.pdf
Roxborough Development Corporation: Industrial Revolution. (n.d.). Retrieved July 1, 2015, from http://www.roxborough.us/industry.html
Manayunk. (n.d.). Retrieved July 1, 2015, from http://planningpa.org/presentations09/24_Manayunk_Handout_FILE.pdf
Roxborough Development Corporation: Industrial Revolution. (n.d.). Retrieved July 1, 2015, from http://www.roxborough.us/industry.html