The population and steets of Fruitvale are a bit unbalanced. The city is primarily Hispanic, with over half the population being Hispanic in 2016. However, the area has escaped the gentrification blight that has plagued many other gentrifying areas in the Bay Area. As of the latest American Community Survey, almost a quarter of the residents were non-citizens of the United States and 22.5% of its population lives below the poverty line.
While Fruitvale is predominantly Latino, there are also some African-American residents. They are located in the outer East Oakland area to the south. Since the area is primarily Latino, the city is considered a cultural landmark for the Latino population. The population of Fruitvale Station has grown since its founding as a railroad stop. Nonetheless, the population and steets of Fruitvale continue to increase, and the city's Latino population has grown significantly in recent years.
The low-income area of Fruitvale was heavily settled by Chicanos. This area became the epicenter of the Chicano Movement, which began following the fatal shooting of Charles Pinky De Baca by the Oakland Police Department. Chicano groups formed in the area to protest police brutality. One of the first such groups was Latinos United for Justice. Another prominent Chicano activist group was the Brown Berets, and Chicano Revolutionary Party.
Census data indicates that the population of this city has grown dramatically over the last decade. The numbers are comparable to the housing totals in other parts of the Bay Area, but in the Asian community, every block is of great importance. While the existing boundary of 14th St is somewhat arbitrary, the population of the area on either side of this street is highly significant. The population of the neighborhood, which includes many Asian-owned small businesses, is more diverse than the area's overall average.