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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Brownsville Heights, a neighborhood in Birmingham, Alabama, exhibits a demographic composition characterized by a Black majority. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a population of 488 residents, with 74% identifying as Black. The median income in 2022 was $41,660, indicating a working-class community. Brownsville Heights has historical significance in Birmingham's civil rights movement, serving as a center for community organizing and activism during the 1960s.
Over the past decade, Brownsville Heights has maintained its status as a Black majority community. The percentage of Black residents has fluctuated between 66% and 75%, showing an overall increase from 66% in 2013 to 74% in 2022. This trend suggests a strengthening of the Black majority over time. The White population, the second-largest group, has decreased from 24% in 2013 to 16% in 2022, indicating a gradual outmigration of White residents. The Hispanic population has remained relatively stable, ranging from 8-10% throughout the decade.
The community does not meet the criteria for high or moderate diversity due to the strong Black majority and limited representation of other racial groups. It could be classified as having low diversity given the dominance of a single racial group. The median income in Brownsville Heights has shown volatility over the reported period. Starting at $37,619 in 2013, it peaked at $44,454 in 2015 before experiencing a decline. The 2022 figure of $41,660 represents a slight recovery from the low of $34,588 in 2020.
The economic instability correlates with the demographic shifts. As the Black majority strengthened and the White population decreased, there were fluctuations in median income. This suggests that the changing racial composition might be linked to economic factors, with potentially higher-income White residents leaving the area. The population of Brownsville Heights has declined over the decade, from 748 in 2013 to 488 in 2022. This significant population decrease (about 35%) could indicate broader urban challenges such as job losses, housing issues, or residents seeking opportunities elsewhere.
The trends observed in Brownsville Heights reflect broader patterns seen in many urban areas across the United States, particularly in the South. The strengthening of the Black majority in this neighborhood aligns with the concept of "Black flight" to suburbs seen in some cities, where middle-class Black families move to suburban areas, potentially leaving lower-income Black residents in urban neighborhoods. The economic volatility and population decline in Brownsville Heights mirror challenges faced by many inner-city neighborhoods nationwide, especially those with historical significance in civil rights movements. These areas often struggle with maintaining economic stability and retaining residents in the face of changing urban dynamics and economic pressures.
Brownsville Heights presents a picture of a historically significant, predominantly Black neighborhood grappling with economic challenges and population decline. While maintaining its strong Black majority, the community has seen a slight increase in racial homogeneity, coupled with economic fluctuations that may be influencing or influenced by these demographic shifts. These trends highlight the complex interplay between race, economics, and urban development in American cities.