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Demographic Analysis of Audubon Forest West: A Predominantly Black Neighborhood in Atlanta
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Audubon Forest West, a neighborhood in Atlanta, Georgia, exhibits a Low Diversity demographic profile with a Black Majority. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a population of 465 residents, with 96% identifying as Black. The median income is $79,751, indicating a middle-class community. Audubon Forest West is located near the Atlanta BeltLine, a sustainable redevelopment project transforming former railway corridors into public parks, multi-use trails, and transit.
Over the past decade, Audubon Forest West has maintained its status as a Black Majority community. From 2013 to 2017, the neighborhood transitioned from a strong Black Majority (83% in 2013) to an almost completely homogeneous community (100% Black in 2017). Between 2018 and 2022, a slight increase in diversity occurred, with small percentages of Hispanic and White residents appearing in the community. Despite this, the area remains in the Low Diversity category.
The median income in Audubon Forest West has shown fluctuations over the past decade. From 2013 to 2015, income rose from $73,883 to $77,374, coinciding with the period of increasing Black demographic homogeneity. In 2016-2017, a sharp decline to $57,700 occurred as the neighborhood reached peak homogeneity. From 2018 to 2022, income rebounded significantly, reaching $79,751 by 2022, aligning with the slight increase in diversity.
The demographic profile of Audubon Forest West contrasts with broader trends in Atlanta and many other major U.S. cities, which have generally been moving towards greater diversity. Atlanta is often described as a Majority-Minority city, with a significant Black plurality and growing Hispanic and Asian populations. The persistence of Audubon Forest West as a predominantly Black neighborhood suggests it may be somewhat insulated from larger citywide demographic shifts.
The neighborhood's economic trajectory aligns more closely with national trends. The median household income in the United States was approximately $70,784 in 2021, placing Audubon Forest West slightly above the national average. The neighborhood's recovery from the economic dip in 2016-2017 mirrors the broader national economic recovery post-2008 recession and through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Audubon Forest West has maintained its status as a Black Majority, Low Diversity community over the past decade. Subtle shifts in its demographic makeup and more pronounced changes in its economic profile suggest a neighborhood in the early stages of transition. The correlation between slight increases in diversity and rising median incomes could indicate potential for further demographic and economic changes in the coming years, especially given the neighborhood's proximity to urban renewal projects like the Atlanta BeltLine.
