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Demographic Analysis of Middle Hill: A Predominantly Black Neighborhood in Pittsburgh
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Middle Hill, a neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is classified as a "Low Diversity" community with a "Black Majority." The population of Middle Hill in 2022 was 1,577, with 93% being Black. The median income in the neighborhood was $32,221. Middle Hill has historical significance as an African American community and was known as a center for jazz music in the mid-20th century.
Over the past decade, Middle Hill has maintained its status as a "Black Majority" neighborhood. From 2013 to 2018, there was a slight increase in diversity, with the Black population decreasing from 85% to 80%, and the "Two or More Races" category increasing from 5% to 12%. Since 2019, this trend has reversed, with the Black population increasing from 84% to 93% by 2022.
The demographic shifts in Middle Hill correlate with economic changes. During the period of increasing diversity (2013-2018), the median income decreased from $22,339 to $15,288. As the neighborhood returned to a more homogeneous racial composition (2019-2022), median income increased from $25,067 to $32,221. The population fluctuated, peaking at 2,146 residents in 2017 during the period of slightly higher diversity, then declining to 1,577 by 2022.
The trends in Middle Hill contrast with many urban areas across the U.S., which have generally been moving towards greater diversity. The neighborhood's resistance to this broader trend may be attributed to its historical significance as an African American cultural center. The economic improvement in recent years, while the neighborhood became less diverse, is notable. This could reflect targeted community development efforts or investments aimed at improving conditions for long-term residents.
Middle Hill presents a case of a historically Black neighborhood that has maintained its racial character over the past decade, while experiencing economic fluctuations. The recent economic upturn, coupled with a more homogeneous racial composition, suggests a potential focus on community preservation and targeted economic development within the existing demographic framework.
