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Ashley Acres: A Low Diversity Neighborhood with Predominant Black Population
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Ashley Acres, a neighborhood in Jackson, Mississippi, exhibits characteristics of a low diversity community with a racial majority. As of 2022, the neighborhood's population is 97% Black, establishing it as a Black majority area. This demographic composition has remained stable over the past decade, reflecting racial segregation patterns common in Southern cities. The neighborhood has experienced significant fluctuations in median income, indicating a complex relationship between racial homogeneity and economic volatility.
Throughout the period from 2013 to 2022, Ashley Acres has maintained its status as a low diversity neighborhood with a strong Black majority. The percentage of Black residents has consistently remained above 96% for the entire decade, with minimal variation. This stability in racial composition suggests an established community structure resistant to broader demographic changes often observed in urban areas.
The White population has never exceeded 3% during this period. Other racial groups, including Asian, Hispanic, Native American, and Pacific Islander, have shown no measurable presence in the neighborhood's demographics. This lack of change in racial composition indicates that Ashley Acres has not experienced the transitional community phenomenon observed in many urban neighborhoods across the United States.
Despite the stability in racial demographics, Ashley Acres has experienced notable economic fluctuations. From 2013 to 2019, the median income showed modest growth, increasing from $33,668 to $38,955, representing a 15.7% increase over six years. A significant economic shift occurred between 2019 and 2021, with median income surging from $38,955 to $57,336, a 47.2% increase in two years. However, 2022 saw a sharp decline, with median income dropping to $45,925, a 19.9% decrease from the previous year. These economic trends do not appear to correlate directly with the stable racial demographics, suggesting that other factors are driving these income fluctuations.
Population trends show a general decline from 168 residents in 2013 to 137 in 2022, an 18.5% decrease. This population decrease, coupled with income volatility, might indicate challenges in retaining residents or attracting new ones, despite periods of economic growth.
The persistent racial homogeneity of Ashley Acres contrasts with national trends towards increasing diversity in urban areas. Many U.S. cities have experienced growing diversity and shifts towards majority-minority or high diversity status over the past decade. However, some Southern cities, particularly those with historically segregated neighborhoods, have shown resistance to these trends, mirroring the situation in Ashley Acres.
The economic volatility observed in Ashley Acres, especially the sharp increase and subsequent decrease in median income between 2019 and 2022, is more pronounced than typical national trends. This could reflect localized economic factors specific to Jackson or this particular neighborhood, such as changes in major employers or targeted economic development initiatives.
The combination of a stable, homogeneous racial composition with volatile economic indicators presents a unique case study. It challenges assumptions about the relationship between demographic diversity and economic stability, suggesting that in some contexts, racial homogeneity does not necessarily correlate with economic consistency or growth. This situation underscores the complex interplay between race, economics, and community development in American urban landscapes.
