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Demographic Analysis of Hillman, Birmingham: A Low Diversity Neighborhood with Black Majority
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Hillman neighborhood in Birmingham, Alabama, is characterized as a Low Diversity community with a strong Black Majority. As of 2022, 93% of the population identifies as Black, with a median income of $35,261. The neighborhood has experienced significant population decline, decreasing from 424 residents in 2010 to 217 in 2022. Hillman has historical significance in Birmingham's civil rights movement, having been a predominantly African American community for many decades.
Throughout the period from 2013 to 2022, Hillman has maintained its status as a Low Diversity community with a Black Majority. From 2013 to 2017, the neighborhood was almost entirely Black, with 99-100% of the population identifying as such. Starting in 2018, there was a slight increase in diversity, with the introduction of a small Hispanic population (5%) and a minimal White presence (1%). By 2022, the neighborhood saw a slight decrease in the Black population to 93%, with small increases in the White (4%) and Hispanic (2%) populations.
The economic landscape of Hillman has shown fluctuations over the past decade. From 2013 to 2015, there was a significant decline in median income, dropping from $24,672 to $18,828. From 2015 onwards, there has been a general upward trend in median income, reaching $35,261 in 2022. This economic improvement coincides with the slight increase in racial diversity, suggesting a possible correlation between increased diversity and economic growth.
The demographic makeup of Hillman contrasts with broader trends in many urban areas across the United States, which have generally been moving towards greater diversity. However, the economic improvement aligns with national trends of gradual recovery and growth following the 2008 financial crisis.
The persistent Black Majority in Hillman, despite slight increases in diversity, reflects the historical racial segregation patterns in many Southern cities. Birmingham, like many other cities in the South, has a history of racial segregation that continues to influence neighborhood demographics today.
The population decline in Hillman is noteworthy and may be part of a broader trend of urban population loss in some older industrial cities. This could be due to factors such as suburbanization, economic restructuring, or the search for better opportunities elsewhere.
In conclusion, while Hillman remains a Low Diversity, Black Majority community, subtle shifts in its demographic composition and changes in its economic profile suggest a neighborhood in transition. The challenge moving forward will be to leverage the economic improvements to reverse the population decline and potentially foster greater diversity, if that aligns with community goals and values.
