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Demographic Analysis of Gentilly Terrace: A Black Majority Neighborhood in Transition
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Gentilly Terrace, a neighborhood in New Orleans, Louisiana, presents as a Black Majority community with moderate economic growth. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a population of 8,968 and a median income of $57,553. Gentilly Terrace is categorized as having Low Diversity, with the Black population comprising 73% of residents. The neighborhood is known for its early 20th-century residential architecture, featuring raised basement houses in various revival styles.
Over the past decade, Gentilly Terrace has maintained its status as a Black Majority community. The Black population decreased from 78% in 2013 to 73% in 2022. The White population increased from 17% in 2013 to 19% in 2022. The Hispanic population remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 2-4%. Other racial groups showed minimal but increasing representation, particularly in the "two or more races" and "other" categories. These changes suggest a gradual trend towards increased diversity, potentially classifying Gentilly Terrace as a Transitional Community.
The neighborhood has experienced significant economic growth over the past decade. The median income increased from $45,807 in 2013 to $57,553 in 2022, a 25.6% increase. The population grew from 8,950 in 2013 to a peak of 10,729 in 2019, before declining to 8,968 in 2022. The rise in median income correlates with the slight increase in racial diversity, suggesting that economic opportunities may be attracting a more diverse population. The recent population decline, particularly post-2020, might indicate other factors at play, such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or changes in housing affordability.
The demographic trends in Gentilly Terrace reflect broader patterns observed in many urban areas across the United States. Many historically Black neighborhoods in major cities are experiencing slow but steady increases in diversity, often driven by economic factors and changing housing preferences. The 25.6% increase in median income over a decade is significant and outpaces the national average. For context, the U.S. median household income grew by about 10% between 2013 and 2022 when adjusted for inflation. The decrease in population after 2020 is a trend seen in many urban areas following the COVID-19 pandemic, as some residents moved to suburban or rural areas seeking more space or affordability. Given New Orleans' history with natural disasters, particularly Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the steady population growth and economic improvement in Gentilly Terrace up to 2019 demonstrate the neighborhood's resilience and recovery.
Gentilly Terrace remains a Black Majority community with Low Diversity, but shows signs of gradual diversification and significant economic improvement. These trends, set against the backdrop of the neighborhood's historic architecture and New Orleans' unique cultural context, indicate a community in transition, balancing preservation of its character with adaptation to broader socio-economic changes.
