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Demographic and Economic Trends in Milton - Montford: A Black Majority Neighborhood in Transition
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Milton - Montford, a neighborhood in Baltimore, Maryland, currently exhibits characteristics of a Black Majority community with moderate diversity. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a population of 1,321 with a median income of $47,785. This area has undergone significant demographic and economic changes over the past decade, reflecting broader urban transformation trends seen in many East Coast cities.
In 2013, Milton - Montford was categorized as a Low Diversity community with an overwhelming Black Majority (99%). Over the past decade, the neighborhood has experienced a gradual shift towards increased diversity, though still maintaining its Black Majority status. By 2020, the community had transitioned to a Moderate Diversity classification. The Black population decreased to 75%, while the Hispanic population grew significantly to 20%, and the White population increased to 5%. This trend suggests a Transitional Community status, with consistent growth in Hispanic and White populations over the years.
The most recent data from 2022 shows a slight reversal, with the Black population increasing to 80%, while the Hispanic population decreased to 10%. However, the emergence of a multi-racial category (3%) and continued growth in the White population (7%) indicate that the diversification trend is ongoing, albeit at a slower pace.
The neighborhood's economic trajectory has been volatile over the past decade. In 2013, the median income was $21,686, which declined slightly in the following two years. From 2016 to 2019, there was a significant upward trend in median income, peaking at $42,930 in 2019. This economic improvement coincided with the period of increasing diversity in the neighborhood. 2021 saw a drop in median income to $18,284, possibly due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the community showed resilience, with median income rebounding to $47,785 in 2022, the highest in the recorded period.
The population of Milton - Montford has fluctuated over the years, reaching a low of 727 in 2015 before steadily increasing to 1,476 in 2020. The recent decrease to 1,321 in 2022 might be attributed to pandemic-related population shifts seen in many urban areas.
The demographic shifts observed in Milton - Montford align with broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States, particularly in historically Black neighborhoods. The gradual increase in diversity, especially the growth of Hispanic and White populations, mirrors patterns of gentrification and urban renewal in cities like Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and other parts of Baltimore.
The economic volatility, particularly the sharp decline and subsequent rebound in median income between 2020 and 2022, is reflective of the broader economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on urban communities. The strong recovery in Milton - Montford suggests a degree of economic resilience that may be tied to its increasing diversity and changing demographic makeup.
Milton - Montford presents a case study of a neighborhood in transition. While maintaining its character as a predominantly Black community, it is gradually becoming more diverse, with associated economic changes that reflect both local dynamics and broader urban trends. The neighborhood's ability to rebound economically post-pandemic suggests a potential for continued development in the coming years.
