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Arlington Heights: A Predominantly Black Neighborhood with Emerging Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Arlington Heights, a neighborhood in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is characterized by a predominantly Black population with low diversity. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a Black racial majority of 89%, with a median income of $27,315. Arlington Heights is one of Milwaukee's oldest African American neighborhoods, with historical roots dating back to the Great Migration of the early 20th century.
Over the past decade, Arlington Heights has maintained its status as a Black Majority community. There have been subtle shifts towards increased diversity, although still within the Low Diversity category. The percentage of Black residents has decreased from 94% in 2013 to 89% in 2022. This change has been accompanied by small increases in Hispanic, White, and multi-racial populations.
The community shows signs of being a Transitional Community, with the percentage of residents identifying as two or more races increasing from 0% in 2013 to 4% in 2022. The Hispanic population has grown from 0% to 3% during this period. These trends suggest a gradual diversification of the neighborhood, though it remains predominantly Black.
The median income in Arlington Heights has shown a general upward trend, increasing from $25,811 in 2013 to $27,315 in 2022. This growth has not been consistent, with fluctuations observed throughout the decade. The highest median income was recorded in 2021 at $31,160, followed by a decrease in 2022.
As the community has become slightly more diverse, there has been a corresponding increase in median income. This could suggest that the influx of new residents from different racial backgrounds might be contributing to economic growth in the area.
The population of Arlington Heights has decreased from 5,072 in 2013 to 3,999 in 2022, a reduction of about 21%. This population decline, coupled with the increase in median income, could indicate a gentrification process beginning to take hold in the neighborhood.
The demographic shifts in Arlington Heights reflect broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas. However, the neighborhood's strong Black majority sets it apart from many other communities experiencing rapid diversification.
The economic improvements, while modest, are notable given the historical economic challenges faced by predominantly Black neighborhoods in many American cities. However, the median income in Arlington Heights remains significantly below the national median household income, which was around $70,784 in 2021.
The population decline in Arlington Heights contrasts with the overall population growth trend in many U.S. cities over the past decade. This could be indicative of broader issues affecting Milwaukee, such as suburbanization or economic factors driving residents to other areas.
Arlington Heights remains a predominantly Black neighborhood with low diversity, but subtle shifts towards increased racial diversity and economic improvement are evident. These changes may signal the beginning of more significant demographic and economic transitions in the coming years. The challenge for the community will be to manage these changes in a way that preserves the neighborhood's cultural heritage while embracing the potential benefits of increased diversity and economic growth.
