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Demographic Analysis of Newman-Buschman: A Black Majority Neighborhood in Hattiesburg, Mississippi
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Newman-Buschman neighborhood in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, is classified as a "Black Majority" community. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a population of 167 with a median income of $21,997. Newman-Buschman's small size and significant economic fluctuations over the past decade make it a subject of interest for urban sociologists studying small, predominantly African American communities in the American South.
Over the past decade, Newman-Buschman has maintained its status as a "Black Majority" community. The percentage of Black residents has remained above 60% throughout the period, reaching a peak of 76% in 2017. The Hispanic population increased from 5% in 2013 to 14% in 2021, before declining to 8% in 2022. The White population has fluctuated between 17% and 26%. A small "Two or More Races" category (1%) emerged in recent years.
The economic trajectory of Newman-Buschman over the past decade correlates with its demographic shifts. From 2013 to 2019, the median income remained relatively stagnant, around $12,000-$13,000. Between 2019 and 2021, median income rose from $17,741 to $30,512, a 72% increase. In 2022, it dropped to $21,997, still higher than pre-2020 levels. The period of rapid income growth (2019-2021) coincides with a slight decrease in the Black majority (from 71% in 2018 to 61% in 2021) and an increase in the Hispanic population.
The median income in Newman-Buschman, even at its 2021 peak, remains below the national median household income. The neighborhood's demographic stability as a Black-majority area is notable in an era where many urban areas are experiencing rapid gentrification and demographic shifts. The dramatic income fluctuations, particularly the sharp rise and subsequent fall between 2019 and 2022, are unusual and may reflect localized economic factors or changes in the small sample size rather than broader trends.
Newman-Buschman presents a picture of a small, predominantly African American neighborhood that has maintained its racial character while experiencing significant economic volatility. The community's resilience in maintaining its demographic composition despite economic ups and downs is noteworthy and warrants further investigation into the social and economic factors contributing to this stability.
