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Demographic Analysis of Cottage Grove Heights: A Predominantly African American Neighborhood in Chicago
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Cottage Grove Heights, a neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois, is characterized as a "Low Diversity" community with a "Racial Majority." As of 2022, 96% of the population identifies as African American. The median income is $72,394, which has fluctuated significantly over the past decade. Cottage Grove Heights is part of Chicago's historic "Black Belt," an area predominantly African American since the early 20th century Great Migration.
Over the past decade, Cottage Grove Heights has maintained its status as a "Low Diversity" neighborhood with a strong "Black Majority." From 2013 to 2022, the Black population has remained above 95%, showing minimal fluctuations. This stability in racial composition suggests deep-rooted community ties and potentially limited gentrification pressures compared to other Chicago neighborhoods.
There are subtle signs of incremental change. The Hispanic population has grown from 0% in 2013 to 3% in 2022. This gradual increase could indicate the beginnings of a "Transitional Community" status, albeit at a very slow pace. The White population has remained consistently low, fluctuating between 1-2% throughout the decade. Other racial groups, including Asians, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders, have maintained negligible representation.
The median income in Cottage Grove Heights has experienced significant volatility over the decade. Starting from $61,029 in 2013, it decreased to $52,641 in 2016 before rising to $93,285 in 2021, then decreasing to $72,394 in 2022. This economic fluctuation suggests a complex interplay of factors affecting the neighborhood's financial well-being. The period of highest median income (2021) coincides with a slight increase in the Hispanic population, potentially indicating some correlation between demographic shifts and economic changes.
The population has remained relatively stable, ranging from 1,700 to 1,900 residents throughout the decade. This stability in population, combined with the consistent racial composition, suggests a tight-knit community resistant to major demographic changes.
Cottage Grove Heights' demographic stability contrasts with broader trends in Chicago, where many neighborhoods have experienced significant demographic shifts due to gentrification and changing urban dynamics. The neighborhood's persistent Black majority reflects its historical role as part of Chicago's South Side African American community. The income volatility observed in Cottage Grove Heights mirrors, to some extent, the economic challenges faced by many predominantly Black neighborhoods across the United States.
While Cottage Grove Heights remains a predominantly African American community in Chicago, subtle signs of change are emerging. The gradual increase in Hispanic residents and the volatile income trends suggest that the neighborhood is not immune to broader urban demographic and economic forces. Cottage Grove Heights may be on the cusp of more significant changes, potentially transitioning from a "Low Diversity" area to a more diverse community in the coming years, albeit at a much slower pace than many other urban neighborhoods across the country.
