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Demographic Analysis of Brummitt Heights: Black Majority and Increasing White Population
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Brummitt Heights, a neighborhood in Birmingham, Alabama, exhibits a "Low Diversity" demographic profile with a Black majority of 77% as of 2022. The neighborhood has experienced demographic shifts over the past decade, transitioning from an almost exclusively Black community to one with a growing White population. Economically, the area has seen fluctuations in median income, with a decline in recent years. Brummitt Heights has historical significance in Birmingham's civil rights movement, having been a predominantly African American neighborhood during the era of segregation.
From 2013 to 2016, Brummitt Heights maintained a "Low Diversity" status with a Black majority of 93-98% of the population. Starting in 2019, the neighborhood began showing signs of becoming a "Transitional Community." The percentage of Black residents decreased from 93% in 2018 to 84% in 2019, while the White population increased from 7% to 13%. By 2020, this transition accelerated, with the Black population further decreasing to 77% and the White population growing to 21%, a trend that has remained stable through 2022. Despite these changes, the area still falls under the "Low Diversity" category, as one racial group (Black) continues to comprise over 75% of the population.
The median income in Brummitt Heights has shown volatility over the past decade. From 2013 to 2016, there was a general upward trend in median income, peaking at $54,018 in 2016. However, since 2016, the neighborhood has experienced an overall downward trend in median income, reaching a low of $39,369 in 2022. The period of increasing racial diversity (2019-2022) coincides with a significant drop in median income, from $52,587 in 2019 to $39,369 in 2022.
The demographic shifts in Brummitt Heights reflect broader trends of changing racial compositions in urban areas across the United States. The specific pattern of a historically Black neighborhood experiencing an increase in White population, coupled with declining median income, is atypical. Many urban areas undergoing racial transitions often see increases in property values and median incomes, a phenomenon often associated with gentrification.
The economic challenges faced by Brummitt Heights, as evidenced by the declining median income, align with broader economic struggles experienced in many parts of Alabama and the broader American South. The sharp decline in recent years (2019-2022) is more severe than national averages and may indicate localized economic pressures or changes in the neighborhood's employment landscape.
Brummitt Heights presents a case of demographic transition, maintaining its status as a predominantly Black neighborhood while experiencing a significant increase in White population and simultaneous economic challenges. This interplay of racial and economic factors warrants further investigation into local policies, housing markets, and economic opportunities to understand the drivers and implications of these changes.
