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Colonial Heights, Jackson: A Study of Racial Homogeneity and Economic Challenges
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Colonial Heights, a neighborhood in Jackson, Mississippi, is characterized by a homogeneous racial composition and economic challenges. As of 2022, the neighborhood is 100% Black, continuing a trend of low diversity over the past decade. The median income in Colonial Heights was $21,894 in 2022, indicating a modest economic status significantly below the national average. The area has historical significance in Jackson's civil rights movement, with community centers and churches playing important roles in organizing activities during the 1960s.
Over the past decade, Colonial Heights has maintained its status as a Black Majority neighborhood. The percentage of Black residents has consistently remained above 95%, reaching 100% in recent years. This trend indicates a stable racial composition with minimal influx of other racial groups. The neighborhood has remained in the Low Diversity classification throughout the observed period.
The median income in Colonial Heights has shown significant fluctuations over the years, with no clear upward trend. In 2013, the median income was $22,676, which dropped to $13,712 in 2016 before increasing to $21,894 in 2022. This volatility in income levels suggests economic instability within the community. The population has remained relatively stable, ranging from 685 in 2013 to 874 in 2019, before settling at 706 in 2022. The lack of significant population growth, combined with income fluctuations, may indicate limited economic opportunities within the neighborhood.
The demographic homogeneity of Colonial Heights contrasts with national trends towards increasing diversity in urban areas. While many U.S. cities have experienced growing racial and ethnic diversity over the past decade, Colonial Heights has maintained its overwhelmingly Black population. This pattern is not uncommon in historically Black neighborhoods in Southern cities, where segregation patterns established decades ago continue to influence community composition.
Economically, the median income in Colonial Heights ($21,894 in 2022) is substantially lower than the national median household income, which was approximately $70,784 in 2021. This disparity highlights the economic challenges faced by residents of Colonial Heights and potentially reflects broader issues of income inequality and limited economic mobility in predominantly Black communities across the United States.
The stability of the neighborhood's racial composition, coupled with its economic challenges, suggests that Colonial Heights may be experiencing concentrated disadvantage. This phenomenon occurs when poverty and racial segregation intersect, potentially limiting access to resources and opportunities for residents. The persistence of these conditions over time indicates that Colonial Heights may benefit from targeted economic development initiatives and programs aimed at improving economic outcomes for its residents while preserving the community's cultural identity and historical significance.
