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Demographic Analysis of Oak Ridge Park: A Study of Black Majority and Racial Composition
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Oak Ridge Park, a neighborhood in Birmingham, Alabama, exhibits a "Black Majority" demographic profile with a moderate level of diversity. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a population of 2,637 and a median income of $44,308. Oak Ridge Park is known for its historical significance in Birmingham's civil rights movement.
Over the past decade, Oak Ridge Park has maintained its status as a "Black Majority" community, with the Black population consistently representing over 50% of residents. In 2013, the neighborhood showed a stronger "Black Majority" with 62% Black residents. By 2018, there was a slight shift towards increased diversity, with the Black population decreasing to 51%. From 2019 to 2022, the Black population stabilized around 55-60%, reaffirming the "Black Majority" categorization.
The White population has remained the second-largest group, fluctuating between 34-41% over the decade. There has been a small increase in Hispanic representation, from 0% in 2013 to 2-5% in recent years, indicating a trend towards slightly increased diversity.
The median income in Oak Ridge Park has shown an upward trend, correlating with subtle demographic shifts. From 2013 to 2022, median income increased from $31,267 to $44,308, a 41.7% rise. The period of lowest Black population percentage (2018) coincided with one of the higher median incomes ($41,438). The recent stabilization of the Black majority around 55% has occurred alongside continued income growth, reaching the highest level in 2022.
The demographic trends in Oak Ridge Park reflect broader national patterns of slowly increasing diversity in urban neighborhoods. The neighborhood's maintenance of a strong Black majority contrasts with many urban areas that have experienced more rapid demographic shifts or gentrification. The economic growth in Oak Ridge Park, while significant, still places the neighborhood below the national median household income (which was around $70,000 in 2022).
The slight increase in Hispanic population aligns with national trends of growing Hispanic communities in various urban areas across the United States. However, the rate of this growth in Oak Ridge Park appears to be slower than national averages. Oak Ridge Park presents a picture of gradual change while maintaining its core demographic character. The neighborhood's ability to preserve its Black majority status while experiencing economic growth and slight diversification suggests a balance between community preservation and progressive development.
