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Demographic Analysis of Calvary-Bellefontaine Cemetery: A Predominantly African American Neighborhood in St. Louis
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Calvary-Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri, is categorized as a "Low Diversity" neighborhood with a "Black Majority." As of 2022, the African American population constitutes 92% of the area, with a median income of $27,131. This urban neighborhood is home to two historic cemeteries, Calvary Cemetery and Bellefontaine Cemetery, which contribute to its character and low population density.
Over the past decade, Calvary-Bellefontaine Cemetery has maintained its status as a "Low Diversity" neighborhood with a "Black Majority." The African American population has remained above 85% throughout the period, with minor fluctuations. From 2013 to 2019, the neighborhood was almost exclusively Black (88-94%) and White (6-12%). From 2020 onwards, there has been a small increase in the "Two or More Races" category (5-7%) and the introduction of a small Native American population (1% in 2022). The White population has decreased from 12% in 2018 to 2% in 2022.
The median income in Calvary-Bellefontaine Cemetery has shown a fluctuating trend. It peaked in 2017 at $30,807. Since then, there has been a general decline, reaching $27,131 in 2022. This represents a decrease of about 12% in median income over five years. The population has also shown significant fluctuations. It dropped from 1,296 in 2014 to a low of 603 in 2018. There was a sharp increase to 1,524 in 2020. As of 2022, the population stands at 1,545.
The persistent low diversity and economic challenges in Calvary-Bellefontaine Cemetery reflect broader trends in many urban areas of St. Louis and similar post-industrial Midwest cities. The neighborhood's median income ($27,131 in 2022) is significantly below the national median household income, which was around $70,784 in 2021. This economic disparity is common in predominantly African American urban neighborhoods across the United States, often resulting from historical patterns of segregation and disinvestment.
The slight increase in multi-racial residents aligns with national trends, as the U.S. Census reported an increase in people identifying as multiracial in the 2020 census. However, the pace of this change in Calvary-Bellefontaine Cemetery appears slower than the national average, likely due to its established demographic profile and possible limited influx of new residents.
Calvary-Bellefontaine Cemetery shows signs of gradual demographic diversification, but remains a low-diversity, predominantly African American neighborhood facing persistent economic challenges. The presence of historic cemeteries may contribute to its stable population characteristics, potentially limiting rapid demographic or economic changes that might be seen in other urban neighborhoods.
