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Demographic Analysis of Brightmoor: A Predominantly African American Neighborhood in Detroit
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Brightmoor, a neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan, exhibits characteristics of a Low Diversity community with a strong Black Majority. As of 2022, the neighborhood's population is 11,207, with African Americans comprising 88% of residents. The median income in 2022 is $28,559, reflecting economic challenges faced by this urban community. Brightmoor is known for grassroots efforts in urban farming and community revitalization, which have emerged as responses to economic hardships and urban decay.
Over the past decade, Brightmoor has maintained its status as a Black Majority neighborhood. From 2013 to 2021, the percentage of Black residents increased from 82% to 90%, reinforcing the neighborhood's Low Diversity status. The white population decreased from 13% in 2013 to 6% in 2022. The percentage of residents identifying as two or more races increased from 1% in 2013 to 3% in 2022. These shifts indicate that while Brightmoor remains within the Black Majority and Low Diversity categories, there are minor changes that could potentially lead to slightly increased diversity in the future.
The economic situation in Brightmoor has shown some improvement over the decade, with fluctuations. Median income increased from $23,196 in 2013 to $28,559 in 2022, representing a 23% increase over nine years. The median income peaked at $29,194 in 2020 before slightly declining in subsequent years. The population decreased from 13,224 in 2010 to 11,207 in 2022, a 15% decline. The modest income growth, coupled with population decline, suggests a complex economic landscape. While some residents may be experiencing improved financial situations, the neighborhood continues to face significant economic challenges.
Brightmoor's demographic and economic trends can be contextualized within broader Detroit and national patterns. Brightmoor's strong Black Majority aligns with Detroit's overall demographic profile, which has long been predominantly African American. Brightmoor's 88% Black population in 2022 is higher than Detroit's overall Black population, which was around 77% in recent years. While Brightmoor's median income has grown, it remains significantly below both Detroit's median (which was around $32,498 in 2021) and the national median (which was $69,717 in 2021). This highlights the persistent economic challenges faced by this neighborhood.
Brightmoor's population decrease mirrors a broader trend in Detroit, which has experienced overall population decline for several decades. However, the rate of decline in Brightmoor (15% from 2010 to 2022) is more pronounced than the city-wide trend. Despite economic challenges, Brightmoor's community-led initiatives in urban agriculture and neighborhood revitalization represent a broader national trend of grassroots movements in underserved urban areas, aimed at improving local conditions and food security.
In conclusion, Brightmoor has maintained its status as a Low Diversity, Black Majority neighborhood over the past decade. It has experienced subtle demographic shifts and modest economic improvements. These changes, set against the backdrop of Detroit's broader challenges and the neighborhood's community-driven initiatives, indicate a resilient community striving for stability and growth in the face of significant socio-economic hurdles.
