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Demographic Analysis of Iberville, New Orleans: A Predominantly Black Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Iberville, a neighborhood in New Orleans, Louisiana, is classified as a "Low Diversity" area with a predominantly Black population, comprising 95% of residents in 2022. This neighborhood has undergone significant demographic and economic changes over the past decade. Iberville is notable for its historical importance as one of the oldest public housing developments in New Orleans, which has recently undergone substantial redevelopment.
From 2013 to 2022, Iberville has maintained a "Low Diversity" categorization, with the Black population consistently representing over 75% of residents. Between 2013 and 2019, the neighborhood exhibited extreme low diversity, with Black residents constituting 93-100% of the population. In 2020-2021, a slight increase in diversity occurred, with the White population growing to 12-14% and a small Hispanic presence emerging at 7-8%. However, by 2022, the neighborhood returned to "Low Diversity" with the Black population increasing to 95%.
The median income in Iberville has shown a significant increase over the past decade. From 2013 to 2017, the median income was extremely low, ranging from $10,025 to $10,444. In 2018-2019, there was a sharp increase to $17,159 and $17,621 respectively. From 2020 to 2022, there was a significant jump to around $29,000, with a slight dip in 2021. This substantial income growth correlates with the brief period of increased diversity in 2020-2021, suggesting that economic improvements may have temporarily attracted a more diverse population.
Population trends in Iberville show a U-shaped curve. From 2013 to 2017, there was a steep decline from 1,364 to 139 residents. From 2018 to 2022, there was a gradual increase back to 1,361 residents. This population trend likely reflects the redevelopment of the public housing complex, with residents relocating during construction and new residents moving in upon completion.
The changes in Iberville reflect broader trends in urban renewal and public housing redevelopment across the United States. Many cities have undertaken similar projects to transform aging public housing into mixed-income communities. The brief increase in diversity and significant rise in median income suggest an attempt at creating a more economically diverse neighborhood, a common goal in such redevelopment efforts.
The return to a predominantly Black population by 2022 indicates that the neighborhood has maintained its historical demographic character despite these changes. This persistence of racial composition is not uncommon in historically Black neighborhoods undergoing redevelopment, where community ties and cultural significance often play a role in resident retention and return.
The substantial increase in median income, while positive, still places Iberville well below the national median household income (which was around $67,000 in 2020). This suggests that while economic conditions have improved, the neighborhood still faces economic challenges compared to national averages.
Iberville presents a case study of a low-diversity, historically Black neighborhood undergoing significant economic transformation. While attempts at diversification were evident, the neighborhood's strong cultural identity appears to have persisted through these changes, highlighting the complex interplay between urban renewal, economic development, and community preservation in American cities.
