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Demographic Analysis of Sunkist Neighborhood in Jackson, Mississippi: Racial Composition and Income Trends
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Sunkist neighborhood in Jackson, Mississippi, is categorized as a Low Diversity area with a strong Black Majority. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a population of 917 and a median income of $42,013. Sunkist has historical significance in Jackson's civil rights movement, serving as a center for community organizing and activism during the 1960s.
Over the past decade, Sunkist has experienced significant changes in its racial composition. In 2013, the neighborhood displayed Moderate Diversity, with a 75% Black population and 25% White population. By 2018, it had shifted to Low Diversity with a Black Majority, as the Black population increased to 96%. From 2018 to 2022, while maintaining its Low Diversity classification, there has been a slight trend towards increased diversity. The Black population decreased to 87%, while the White population increased to 9%. A small Hispanic population (2%) emerged, and individuals identifying as two or more races consistently represented 1-2% of the population.
The demographic shifts in Sunkist correlate with fluctuations in median income. In 2013, when the neighborhood showed Moderate Diversity, the median income was $41,052. As the community transitioned to Low Diversity with a strong Black Majority, there was a significant drop in median income, reaching a low of $19,413 in 2014. However, as the community began to show signs of increasing diversity in recent years, the median income has generally trended upward, reaching $46,666 in 2021 before slightly decreasing to $42,013 in 2022.
The population of Sunkist has experienced fluctuations, peaking at 1,344 in 2016 and declining to 917 by 2022. This population decrease, coupled with the slight increase in diversity and median income, may suggest a pattern of gentrification or urban renewal affecting the neighborhood's composition.
The demographic evolution of Sunkist reflects broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States, where historically Black neighborhoods are experiencing gradual diversification. However, the persistence of a strong Black Majority in Sunkist is notable, as it maintains a higher percentage of Black residents compared to the national average for urban areas.
The economic trends in Sunkist, particularly the recent increase in median income, align with national patterns of economic recovery post-2008 recession. However, the neighborhood's median income remains below the national median household income ($67,521 as of 2020), highlighting ongoing economic challenges faced by many predominantly Black communities in the United States.
In conclusion, while Sunkist remains categorized as a Low Diversity neighborhood with a strong Black Majority, subtle shifts towards increased diversity and economic improvement suggest the early stages of neighborhood transition. These changes, while gradual, may have significant implications for community dynamics, local policies, and economic development in the coming years.
