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Demographic Analysis of Airport Highlands: A Study of Racial Composition and Population Decline
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Airport Highlands in Birmingham, Alabama, is a neighborhood with low diversity, predominantly inhabited by Black residents (97% in 2022). The neighborhood has experienced a significant population decline, decreasing from 280 residents in 2010 to 93 in 2022. The median income in Airport Highlands was $38,253 in 2022, which is below the national median.
Throughout the decade, Airport Highlands has maintained a Black majority status. From 2013 to 2019, the neighborhood exhibited moderate diversity with a significant Black majority (80-88%) and small but notable Hispanic (8-12%) and White (2-8%) populations. In 2020-2021, the community transitioned to low diversity as the Black population remained dominant (80-83%), but other racial groups' representation decreased. By 2022, the neighborhood solidified its low diversity status with the Black population reaching 97%.
The median income in Airport Highlands has shown volatility over the years. From 2013 to 2017, incomes rose from $34,954 to $47,410. A sharp decline occurred from 2018 to 2020, with median income dropping to $37,874. In 2021-2022, a brief recovery in 2021 ($45,166) was followed by another decline in 2022 ($38,253).
The economic fluctuations correlate with the demographic shifts. As the community became less diverse, particularly after 2019, median incomes generally trended downward. The significant population decline (63% decrease from 2010 to 2022) is noteworthy. This exodus could be linked to economic pressures, changing housing preferences, or broader urban development patterns in Birmingham.
The trends in Airport Highlands reflect some broader national patterns. Many urban areas have experienced population shifts, with some inner-city neighborhoods seeing declines as residents move to suburbs or other cities. The consolidation of Black residents in certain neighborhoods is a phenomenon observed in various U.S. cities, often tied to historical patterns of segregation and current socioeconomic factors. The income volatility in Airport Highlands mirrors challenges faced by many low-income urban communities across the country, where economic stability remains elusive.
Airport Highlands has transitioned from a moderately diverse, predominantly Black neighborhood to one with very low diversity over the past decade. This demographic consolidation has occurred alongside population decline and economic instability. These trends suggest a community facing significant challenges, potentially including limited economic opportunities, housing issues, and the effects of broader urban development patterns in Birmingham.
