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Carroll Park: A Study of Racial Composition and Economic Growth in a Philadelphia Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Carroll Park, a neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, exhibits a low diversity demographic profile with a racial majority of African Americans comprising 96% of the population as of 2022. The neighborhood has experienced moderate economic growth over the past decade, with the median income rising from $18,130 in 2013 to $38,298 in 2022. Carroll Park remains a low-income area compared to national averages. Carroll Park contains one of the oldest recreational facilities in Philadelphia, dating back to the late 19th century.
Throughout the analyzed period (2013-2022), Carroll Park has maintained its status as a low diversity neighborhood with a strong racial majority of African Americans. The percentage of Black residents has remained stable, fluctuating only slightly between 94% and 96%. This stability suggests a deeply rooted African American community with limited influx of other racial groups.
Carroll Park has experienced significant economic growth over the past decade. The median income more than doubled from $18,130 in 2013 to $38,298 in 2022, representing a 111% increase. This growth suggests improving economic conditions for residents, although the neighborhood still lags behind national median income levels. The population of Carroll Park has increased from 9,244 in 2013 to 12,448 in 2022, a 34.7% growth.
The correlation between demographic stability and economic growth is noteworthy. Despite minimal changes in racial composition, the community has seen substantial income improvements. This suggests that the existing African American community has experienced economic uplift rather than the neighborhood undergoing gentrification-driven demographic changes.
Carroll Park's demographic stability contrasts with broader trends in many urban areas across the United States, where increased diversity and gentrification have often led to significant demographic shifts. The neighborhood's economic growth, while substantial, still places it below the national median household income, which was approximately $70,784 in 2021. The population growth in Carroll Park is notable when compared to Philadelphia's overall population trends. While the city's population has remained relatively stable over the past decade, Carroll Park has seen a significant increase.
Carroll Park presents a case of a predominantly African American neighborhood experiencing economic growth without significant demographic change. This stability, combined with rising incomes and population growth, suggests a strengthening community fabric and potentially improving quality of life for long-term residents. However, the persistent income gap compared to national averages indicates that there is still room for further economic development and opportunity expansion in this historic Philadelphia neighborhood.
