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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
East Lake, a neighborhood in Birmingham, Alabama, exhibits a demographic profile characterized as a "Black Majority" area. As of 2022, African Americans constitute 76% of the population, with a median income of $28,603. East Lake has historically been known for its streetcar suburbs and East Lake Park, a central community feature since the early 20th century.
Over the past decade, East Lake has experienced a gradual shift in its racial composition. While maintaining its "Black Majority" status, the Black population percentage has decreased from 87% in 2013 to 76% in 2022. Concurrently, other racial groups have shown small but consistent increases, particularly the White and Hispanic populations. This shift suggests early signs of East Lake becoming a "Transitional Community." The Hispanic population has grown from nearly non-existent in 2013 to 5% in 2022, while the White population has increased from 10% to 15% over the same period.
The demographic changes in East Lake correlate with changes in median income. The median income has shown overall growth, rising from $19,859 in 2013 to $28,603 in 2022, an increase of about 44%. This growth has not been linear, with fluctuations observed, including a peak of $28,984 in 2020 followed by a decrease to $25,252 in 2021, likely influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The increasing diversity in the neighborhood coincides with overall economic improvement, suggesting that the area may be experiencing early stages of gentrification or urban renewal. This could be attracting a more diverse population while potentially displacing some long-term residents, as evidenced by the gradual decrease in total population from 3,323 in 2013 to 2,837 in 2022.
The changes observed in East Lake mirror broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States. Many historically Black neighborhoods in major cities have experienced similar patterns of gradual diversification and economic change. This often reflects broader urban revitalization efforts, changing housing preferences, and shifts in economic opportunities.
Despite the improvement in East Lake's median income, it remains significantly below the national median household income, which was approximately $70,784 in 2021. This indicates that while the neighborhood is experiencing positive economic trends, it still faces challenges in terms of overall economic prosperity compared to national averages.
The gradual increase in diversity, particularly the growth of the Hispanic population, aligns with national demographic trends. The Hispanic population has been one of the fastest-growing demographic groups in the United States over the past decade.
East Lake presents a picture of a neighborhood in transition. While still predominantly African American, it shows signs of increasing diversity and gradual economic improvement. These changes, while positive in many respects, may also bring challenges such as potential displacement of long-term residents and changes to the neighborhood's cultural character. As East Lake continues to evolve, balancing economic growth with community preservation will likely be a key challenge for local policymakers and community leaders.