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Demographic Analysis of Stateway Gardens: A Black Majority Neighborhood in Chicago
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Stateway Gardens, a neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois, is classified as a "Black Majority" community. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a population of 1,273 with a median income of $25,873. Stateway Gardens was previously the location of a large public housing project, which was demolished in the early 2000s as part of Chicago's Plan for Transformation.
Over the past decade, Stateway Gardens has maintained its status as a "Black Majority" community. The Black population has fluctuated, decreasing from 78% in 2013 to 70% in 2022. The Asian population increased from 13% in 2013 to 20% in 2015, but has since declined to 8% in 2022. The Hispanic population grew from 0% in 2013 to 6% in 2022. The White population increased from 8% in 2013 to 15% in 2016, then decreased to 11% in 2022.
The economic landscape of Stateway Gardens has shown fluctuations. The median income increased from $14,699 in 2019 to $41,287 in 2021, before dropping to $25,873 in 2022. The neighborhood has experienced substantial population growth, from 328 in 2010 to 1,273 in 2022.
The changes observed in Stateway Gardens align with broader trends in urban redevelopment and gentrification seen in many American cities. The demolition of public housing and the shift towards mixed-income developments is part of a national strategy to deconcentrate poverty and improve living conditions in urban areas.
The persistent "Black Majority" status of Stateway Gardens, even as it undergoes redevelopment, is notable. Many similar redevelopment projects in other cities have led to more dramatic shifts in racial composition. The fact that Stateway Gardens has maintained its predominantly Black population while seeing some economic improvements could be seen as a relative success in maintaining community cohesion during urban renewal.
The economic volatility observed, particularly the sharp rise and subsequent fall in median income between 2019 and 2022, may reflect the challenges of implementing mixed-income housing strategies. It also highlights the potential impacts of external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which had significant economic effects on many urban communities during this period.
Stateway Gardens represents a case study in the complex dynamics of urban redevelopment, showcasing both the potential for economic improvement and the challenges of maintaining community stability and affordability in the face of change.
