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Demographic Analysis of Sterling & Myrtle St. Neighborhood in Flint: A Study of Racial Homogeneity and Economic Trends
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Sterling & Myrtle St. neighborhood in Flint, Michigan, exhibits a demographic profile characterized by low diversity with a predominant Black majority. As of 2022, 94% of the population identifies as Black. The area has experienced economic challenges, with a median income of $30,158 in 2022, which is below the national average. This neighborhood has been affected by the Flint water crisis, which began in 2014 and impacted the community's health and economic stability.
Over the past decade, the Sterling & Myrtle St. neighborhood has maintained its status as a Black majority area. From 2013 to 2022, the Black population percentage increased from 85% to 94%. The neighborhood briefly showed signs of moving towards moderate diversity in 2015-2016, with a small but significant (5-6%) two or more races population. By 2020-2021, the area reached its peak homogeneity with 98% Black population, before slightly diversifying again in 2022 with the introduction of a small Hispanic population (3%).
The neighborhood's economic trajectory has been volatile. Median income fluctuated from a low of $17,855 in 2016 to a high of $33,578 in 2021. The period of lowest income coincided with the brief increase in racial diversity. The sharp income increase from 2020 to 2021 occurred during the period of highest racial homogeneity. Population has steadily declined from 2,947 in 2010 to 1,331 in 2022, a 54.8% decrease, indicating significant outmigration.
The demographic and economic trends in Sterling & Myrtle St. reflect broader patterns seen in many urban areas across the Rust Belt, particularly those affected by deindustrialization. The persistent Black majority and increasing homogeneity contrast with national trends towards increasing diversity. The neighborhood's median income, while increasing in recent years, remains significantly below the national median. The population decline is more severe than the overall trend for Flint. The economic volatility, especially the recent upswing, may be partly attributed to recovery efforts and investments following the Flint water crisis.
The Sterling & Myrtle St. neighborhood exemplifies a community grappling with significant demographic consolidation and economic challenges. While recent years have shown some positive economic trends, the area remains characterized by low diversity and economic vulnerability. The nascent signs of diversification in 2022 may indicate the beginning of a new phase in the neighborhood's demographic evolution, potentially influenced by broader recovery efforts in Flint.
