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Demographic Analysis of Beau Terra: A Study of Race and Population in a Mobile, Alabama Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Beau Terra, a neighborhood in Mobile, Alabama, exhibits a demographic profile characterized by low diversity with a significant Black majority. As of 2022, 89% of the population identifies as Black, while 10% identifies as White. The median income is $37,129, which is below the national median. The population size has remained relatively stable over the past decade, around 3,000 residents, with some fluctuations.
Over the past decade, Beau Terra has maintained its status as a Black Majority community. There has been a trend towards lower diversity. In 2013, the neighborhood was categorized as Low Diversity, with 80% Black and 19% White populations. By 2022, the Black population increased to 89% and the White population decreased to 10%.
This trend indicates a gradual demographic homogenization, moving from a predominantly Black community to an even more concentrated Black majority. The consistent increase in the Black population percentage, coupled with the decrease in the White population, suggests a potential outmigration of White residents or an influx of Black residents, or both.
The median income in Beau Terra has shown volatility over the years, with a general downward trend. In 2013, the median income was $40,595, the highest point in the available data. It declined to $35,215 in 2015, recovered to $39,251 in 2021, then dropped to $37,129 in 2022. Periods of lower income seem to correlate with increased racial homogeneity. For instance, the lowest median income of $35,215 in 2015 coincided with an increase in the Black population to 81%.
The demographic trends in Beau Terra contrast with many urban areas across the United States, which have been experiencing increasing diversity over the past decade. While many cities are seeing growth in Hispanic and Asian populations, Beau Terra shows negligible representation from these groups throughout the period.
The economic situation in Beau Terra diverges from national trends. While the U.S. median household income has generally increased over the past decade, reaching $70,784 in 2021, Beau Terra's median income has remained significantly lower and relatively stagnant. This disparity suggests that the neighborhood may be facing unique economic challenges or may be part of a broader pattern of economic struggle in certain urban areas of Alabama.
Beau Terra presents a case of increasing racial homogeneity coupled with economic stagnation. This trend raises questions about the factors driving these changes and the potential long-term implications for community development, social cohesion, and economic opportunities in the neighborhood. Further investigation into local policies, housing patterns, and economic development initiatives could provide insights into the forces shaping Beau Terra's demographic and economic landscape.
