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Demographic Analysis of West Tuscaloosa: A Predominantly Black Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
West Tuscaloosa, a neighborhood in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, exhibits a low diversity demographic profile with a racial majority of Black residents. As of 2022, the Black population comprises 82% of the neighborhood, while the White population represents 13%. The median income in 2022 was $32,880, reflecting an increase over the past decade. West Tuscaloosa is known for its African American cultural heritage and has been a focus of community revitalization efforts in recent years.
Throughout the analyzed period (2013-2022), West Tuscaloosa has maintained its status as a low diversity area with a strong racial majority of Black residents. The Black population has remained relatively stable, ranging from 83% to 85% over the decade. There have been slight fluctuations in other racial groups, but none significant enough to shift the neighborhood into a different diversity category.
The White population has shown minor variations, decreasing slightly from 14% in 2013 to 13% in 2022. There has been a small increase in the Hispanic population, growing from 1% in 2013 to 2% in 2022. This subtle change, while not altering the overall diversity classification, might indicate the early stages of a transitional community trend, albeit at a very slow pace.
The median income in West Tuscaloosa has shown a steady increase over the decade, rising from $28,182 in 2013 to $32,880 in 2022. This represents a growth of about 16.7% over nine years. The median income remains relatively low compared to national averages.
The population has fluctuated over the years, starting at 20,149 in 2013, peaking at 20,002 in 2019, and then decreasing to 19,126 in 2022. This slight population decline in recent years might be attributed to various factors such as economic opportunities, housing availability, or broader urban development patterns.
The demographic stability of West Tuscaloosa contrasts with national trends that have shown increasing diversity in many urban areas. While many U.S. cities have experienced significant demographic shifts towards becoming majority-minority or high diversity areas, West Tuscaloosa has maintained its historically Black majority.
The modest income growth in West Tuscaloosa, while positive, may not have kept pace with national income growth rates or inflation. This could indicate ongoing economic challenges in the area, potentially related to limited job opportunities or broader economic factors affecting the region.
The slight increase in the Hispanic population, though small, aligns with broader national trends of growing Hispanic communities in various parts of the country. However, the rate of change in West Tuscaloosa appears to be slower than in many other urban areas.
West Tuscaloosa presents a picture of demographic stability with slow economic improvement. While maintaining its strong Black majority and low diversity status, the neighborhood shows signs of gradual economic progress. The challenge for local policymakers and community leaders may be to foster economic growth and potentially attract a more diverse population while preserving the area's cultural heritage and addressing the needs of long-term residents.
