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Demographic Analysis of Liberty Highlands: A Study of Racial Composition and Income Trends
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Liberty Highlands, a neighborhood in Birmingham, Alabama, exhibits characteristics of a White Majority community with moderate diversity. As of 2022, the white population constitutes 64% of the neighborhood, with a Black population of 24%. The median income of $74,120 in 2022 suggests a relatively affluent area. Liberty Highlands is more racially diverse than many other Birmingham neighborhoods.
Over the past decade, Liberty Highlands has undergone a transition. In 2013, the neighborhood was categorized as a Low Diversity area with a White Majority (66% white). By 2022, while still maintaining a White Majority, the community has evolved towards Moderate Diversity. The Black population has increased from 17% to 24%, while the Hispanic population has remained a significant minority.
This shift appears to have been triggered by a gradual influx of Black residents and a slight decrease in the white population percentage. The community has moved from being on the borderline of Low Diversity to firmly in the Moderate Diversity category, with two racial groups (White and Black) having significant representation.
The demographic shifts in Liberty Highlands correlate with changes in median income. From 2013 to 2022, the median income has increased from $66,665 to $74,120, a growth of about 11%. This economic improvement coincides with the increasing diversity, suggesting that the neighborhood has attracted a more diverse, yet affluent population.
There was a dip in median income around 2017 ($52,511) before it rebounded. This temporary economic downturn did not reverse the trend towards increased diversity, indicating that other factors may have played a role in maintaining the demographic shift.
The trends observed in Liberty Highlands align with patterns seen in many Southern cities, where traditionally segregated neighborhoods are gradually becoming more diverse. This shift is often accompanied by economic growth, as seen in Liberty Highlands.
Compared to national trends, the neighborhood's evolution is noteworthy. While many urban areas across the U.S. have experienced rapid gentrification leading to displacement of minority communities, Liberty Highlands seems to have achieved increased diversity alongside economic growth. This suggests a more balanced form of neighborhood development.
The steady population growth from 6,003 in 2010 to 6,563 in 2022 supports the idea that Liberty Highlands has become an attractive destination for a diverse range of residents. This controlled growth, coupled with increasing diversity and rising incomes, positions Liberty Highlands as an example of gradual, inclusive neighborhood transformation in the context of a Southern city.
