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Demographic Analysis of West Brownville: A Predominantly Black Neighborhood in Birmingham, Alabama
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
West Brownville, a neighborhood in Birmingham, Alabama, is classified as a "Low Diversity" community with a strong Black majority. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a population of 632, with 88% of residents identifying as Black. The median income is $22,219, which is below the national average. West Brownville has experienced fluctuations in both population and racial composition over the past decade.
The racial composition of West Brownville has consistently maintained a Black majority throughout the observed period. From 2013 to 2015, the neighborhood was categorized as "Low Diversity" with a very strong Black majority (94% in 2013, decreasing to 86% in 2015). Between 2016 and 2019, a shift towards "Moderate Diversity" occurred, with the Black population decreasing to 66% by 2018, while the White and Hispanic populations increased. From 2020 to 2022, this trend reversed, returning to "Low Diversity" with the Black population increasing to 88% by 2022.
The neighborhood showed characteristics of a "Transitional Community" between 2016 and 2019, with increasing Hispanic and multiracial populations. However, this trend reversed in recent years. The median income has shown significant fluctuations, peaking in 2015 at $41,067, sharply declining to $18,398 in 2017, then gradually increasing to $24,576 in 2020, followed by a slight decline to $22,219 in 2022.
The population has also experienced substantial changes. It peaked at 955 in 2012, declined to a low of 468 in 2017, rebounded to 672 in 2021, before slightly decreasing to 632 in 2022. The period of increased diversity (2016-2019) coincided with the lowest median incomes, suggesting potential economic challenges during demographic transitions. The return to a stronger Black majority post-2019 has been accompanied by a modest increase in median income, though still well below the 2015 peak.
West Brownville's demographic and economic trends can be contextualized within broader national patterns. Many U.S. cities have experienced demographic changes in inner-city neighborhoods, often associated with gentrification or urban renewal initiatives. West Brownville's brief period of increased diversity from 2016-2019 might reflect such trends, though the subsequent reversal is noteworthy. The neighborhood's consistently low median income, especially compared to its 2015 peak, aligns with national concerns about income inequality and the economic challenges faced by predominantly minority communities. The significant population changes in West Brownville could reflect broader trends of urban migration, potentially influenced by economic opportunities, housing policies, or urban development initiatives in Birmingham.
West Brownville presents a complex picture of a neighborhood that has undergone significant demographic and economic changes over the past decade. While it has maintained its status as a predominantly Black community, the fluctuations in diversity, income, and population suggest a neighborhood in flux, possibly influenced by broader urban and economic trends affecting similar communities across the United States. The recent trend towards re-solidifying its Black majority status, coupled with modest income improvements, may indicate a stabilizing period for the community, though economic challenges persist.
