Loading Content...
Demographic Analysis of Summerhill: A Predominantly Black Neighborhood in Atlanta
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Summerhill, a neighborhood in Atlanta, Georgia, is characterized as a "Racial Majority" community with a clear Black majority. As of 2022, 80% of the population identifies as Black, with a median income of $38,572. Summerhill is one of Atlanta's oldest neighborhoods, known for its strong African American heritage and proximity to the former Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.
Over the past decade, Summerhill has maintained its status as a "Racial Majority" neighborhood, with the Black population remaining dominant. From 2013 to 2018, there was a decrease in the Black population from 79% to 71%, followed by an increase back to 80% by 2022. The White population fluctuated, rising from 10% in 2013 to 20% in 2018, before declining to 15% in 2022. These shifts indicate that Summerhill experienced a brief period of increasing diversity before reverting to its historical demographic composition.
The economic landscape of Summerhill has seen significant changes over the past decade. Median income rose from $24,319 in 2013 to $52,456 in 2018, coinciding with the period of increased racial diversity. However, there was a decline in median income after 2019, dropping to $38,572 by 2022. Population figures show a U-shaped trend, decreasing from 3,083 in 2013 to 2,593 in 2018, then rising to 3,633 by 2022. These economic trends correlate with the demographic shifts, suggesting a complex interplay between gentrification pressures and community resilience.
The demographic and economic trends in Summerhill reflect broader patterns seen in many urban areas across the United States. The initial trend towards increased diversity and rising incomes is reminiscent of gentrification processes observed in many historically Black neighborhoods in major cities. The subsequent reversal, with a return to a stronger Black majority and decreased median income, could be interpreted as a form of community resistance to gentrification or the impact of broader economic factors.
Summerhill has maintained its status as a "Racial Majority" Black neighborhood throughout the past decade, but has experienced notable demographic and economic fluctuations. These changes reflect the complex dynamics of urban development, gentrification pressures, and community resilience in historically Black neighborhoods across America. The neighborhood's ability to maintain its strong Black majority in the face of these pressures speaks to the enduring cultural significance of Summerhill within Atlanta's urban landscape.
