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Demographic Analysis of Fairfields, Baton Rouge: A Study of Racial Composition and Economic Trends
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Fairfields neighborhood in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, exhibits a Low Diversity demographic profile with a strong Black Majority. As of 2022, 93% of the population identifies as Black, with minimal representation from other racial groups. The median income of $24,381 in 2022 is lower than the national average, indicating economic challenges within the community. Fairfields has historical significance in Baton Rouge's civil rights movement, having been a center for African American community life and activism during the mid-20th century.
Over the past decade, Fairfields has maintained its status as a Black Majority neighborhood. From 2013 to 2022, the Black population remained above 90%, indicating a stable racial composition. In 2020, a small Hispanic population (2%) appeared for the first time in the data. From 2021, there was an increase in individuals identifying as two or more races (5%). The White population has remained consistently low, around 1-2% throughout the decade. Despite these minor changes, the neighborhood has not transitioned from its Low Diversity category.
The median income in Fairfields has fluctuated significantly over the past decade. The median income rose from $22,707 in 2013 to a peak of $35,269 in 2021, before declining to $24,381 in 2022. The substantial drop in median income from 2021 to 2022 (about 31%) suggests recent economic hardships. Despite some years of growth, the median income has consistently remained below the national average, indicating ongoing economic challenges in the neighborhood.
The stable racial demographics coupled with volatile income trends suggest that economic factors, rather than demographic shifts, have been the primary driver of change in Fairfields over the past decade. Fairfields' demographic stability contrasts with national trends towards increasing diversity in many urban areas. While many U.S. cities have seen growing Hispanic and Asian populations, Fairfields has maintained its predominantly Black composition.
The economic volatility in Fairfields, particularly the sharp income decline in 2022, may reflect broader economic challenges faced by predominantly Black communities nationwide. The persistent income gap between Fairfields and national averages aligns with broader patterns of racial economic disparities in the United States.
In conclusion, Fairfields has seen minimal racial demographic shifts over the past decade but has experienced significant economic fluctuations. The neighborhood remains a Low Diversity, Black Majority community facing ongoing economic challenges. The recent increase in multiracial identification and the emergence of a small Hispanic population may indicate the early stages of a gradual demographic transition, but this has not yet significantly altered the overall community composition.
