Loading Content...
Demographic and Economic Analysis of JeffVanderLou Neighborhood: A Predominantly Black Community in St. Louis
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The JeffVanderLou neighborhood in St. Louis, Missouri, is classified as a "Low Diversity" area based on demographic data from 2022. The population is predominantly Black, comprising 91% of residents. The median income in the neighborhood has increased from $20,083 in 2013 to $30,592 in 2022, indicating economic growth. However, JeffVanderLou remains a lower-income area compared to national averages. The neighborhood has historical significance in St. Louis's African American community and was a center for civil rights activism in the mid-20th century.
From 2013 to 2022, JeffVanderLou has maintained its "Low Diversity" status. The Black population decreased slightly from 97% to 91%. The White population increased from 1% to 5%, and the Hispanic population grew from 1% to 2%. The percentage of residents identifying as two or more races increased from 0% to 2%. These changes suggest a slow trend towards increased diversity, though the neighborhood remains predominantly Black.
The economic trajectory of JeffVanderLou shows positive growth, with median income increasing by approximately 52% from 2013 to 2022. The most significant income growth coincided with slight increases in racial diversity. Between 2019 and 2020, median income increased from $22,072 to $28,920, corresponding with a small increase in the White population percentage. This correlation may indicate some level of gentrification in the area.
The demographic stability of JeffVanderLou contrasts with national trends towards increasing diversity in urban areas. The slow pace of change suggests that JeffVanderLou remains a historically and culturally significant African American neighborhood, resistant to rapid demographic shifts.
The economic growth in JeffVanderLou, while substantial in percentage terms, still leaves the neighborhood below national income averages. This pattern is consistent with many historically Black urban neighborhoods across the United States, which often face systemic economic challenges despite some improvements.
The slight increase in diversity and significant income growth could indicate the early stages of neighborhood change, possibly driven by broader urban renewal efforts in St. Louis. However, the persistence of a strong Black majority suggests that any such changes are occurring gradually and have not yet fundamentally altered the neighborhood's character.
JeffVanderLou presents a picture of a neighborhood maintaining its historical demographic character while experiencing modest economic improvements. The coming years will be crucial in determining whether these trends accelerate towards greater diversity and economic growth or whether the neighborhood's established community structure will continue to predominate.
