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Demographic Analysis of West Park, Jackson: A Low Diversity Neighborhood with Black Majority
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
West Park, a neighborhood in Jackson, Mississippi, exhibits characteristics of a Low Diversity community with a significant Black Majority. As of 2022, 95% of the population identifies as Black, with a median income of $25,537. This neighborhood, located in Mississippi's capital city, reflects Jackson's predominantly African American population and civil rights history.
Over the past decade, West Park has maintained its status as a Low Diversity community with a strong Black Majority. From 2013 to 2019, the neighborhood demonstrated high racial homogeneity, with 98-99% of the population identifying as Black. Since 2020, there has been a slight decrease in the Black population percentage, dropping from 98% to 95% by 2022. Concurrently, there has been a small increase in the White population, rising from 1% in 2019 to 4% in 2022. The year 2022 also saw the emergence of a small multiracial population (1%), indicating the beginnings of a potential shift towards slightly increased diversity.
The economic landscape of West Park has shown improvements over the past decade. Median income has increased from $20,332 in 2013 to $25,537 in 2022, representing a 25.6% growth. The most significant increase occurred between 2017 and 2018, with median income rising from $22,550 to $25,839. Despite fluctuations, the overall trend shows a gradual increase in median income.
Population trends show a decline from 3,124 in 2013 to 2,352 in 2022, a 24.7% decrease. This population decline, coupled with rising median incomes, could indicate a complex interplay of factors such as gentrification, out-migration of lower-income residents, or changing family structures.
West Park's demographic makeup reflects Jackson's overall population, which is predominantly African American. However, the neighborhood's 95% Black population surpasses Jackson's city-wide average of about 82% Black population. The median income growth in West Park, while positive, still leaves the neighborhood significantly below the national median household income, which was around $70,784 in 2021. This disparity highlights the ongoing economic challenges faced by many predominantly Black communities in the United States.
The slight increase in diversity aligns with broader national trends of increasing racial diversity in urban areas. However, the pace of this change in West Park is slower than in many other U.S. cities, reflecting the deep-rooted historical and social factors that have shaped Mississippi's racial landscape. West Park remains a Low Diversity community with a strong Black Majority, but subtle shifts in its demographic composition and steady improvements in median income suggest the potential for gradual change. These trends, set against the backdrop of Jackson's historical significance in the civil rights movement, indicate a neighborhood slowly evolving while maintaining its distinct cultural identity.
