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Demographics[edit | edit source]

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1950	34,208		—
1960	25,749		−24.7%
1970	19,994		−22.4%
1980	15,901		−20.5%
1990	15,044		−5.4%
2000	14,997		−0.3%
2010	17,639		17.6%

Shaw has grown dramatically since the mid-to-late 20th century, with a 2010 population of 17,639. In 1950, the area's population had reached over 34,000 people, around double its current level. Like many neighborhoods throughout Washington, D.C., Shaw hit a population low point in the 1980s and 1990s, rebounding considerably at the turn of the 21st century. ^{The lack of investment and limited power in the area created a barrier in the neighborhood’s development and urbanization during the early 1800’s. Further growth was hindered by increasing racial tensions as more African-Americans settled in the region; by the 1850's, Washington D.C. had the largest African-American population of any city in the United States. The increasing costs of housing also decreased the availability of affordable housing, generating further racial tensions citywide and neighborhood segregation. One such neighborhood was Shaw, which continues to be populated by many African-Americans, but also Shaw is now experiencing an increase prices. The current forecast for the price of housing expects a steady increase of about 2.5% over the few years, which could lead to further displacement among the black community and a phenomenon known as root shock. According to the latest census of the Logan Circle/Shaw area, majority (71%) of residents is single, college-educated (67%) and has a median income of $84,875.}

^{As of 2015, Shaw’s population has reached 12,901 individuals, a significant decrease from the population recorded in the 1950’s as around 34,000 people. A historically black neighbourhood, Shaw’s population today remains around 50% black. Even so, Shaw has become more differentiated and multicultural. Statistics show that 30% people living in Shaw are white, 11% are Hispanic and 7% are Asian.}

^{The majority of residents in Shaw are between the ages of 22 and 39; they constitute 44.5% of the population this is greater than the average District of Columbia percentage of 34.5% for this age group. Children between the ages of 0-17 make up 15.4% of the population. The percentages of genders within each age group is generally equal except for 85+ which has 94.4% female to only 5.6% male and 20 year olds which is 84.9% female to 15.1% male.}

Little Ethiopia[edit | edit source]

See also: Ethiopians in Washington, D.C.

Since the 1980s, Ethiopian-born business owners have been purchasing property in the neighbourhood of Shaw, specifically Thirteenth and Ninth Streets. The area has since gained distinctive popularity in Washington even outside of the Ethiopian community. According to restaurant owner Tefera Zwedie: "I remember it was if I'm not mistaken somewhere between 2000, 2001 it was something big for us to see one non-Ethiopian coming to the restaurant. Now 95 percent of them are non-Ethiopian." The food has become a main attraction and reason for locals and tourists to commute to Shaw and experience the many local Ethiopian restaurants.This influx of Ethiopians has revitalized the area, prompting members of the Ethiopian American community to lobby the city government to officially designate the block as "Little Ethiopia". Although no legislation was proposed, Shaw residents have expressed opposition to the idea, concerned that such a designation would isolate that area from the historically African-American Shaw.