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Demographic and Economic Trends in Mt. Olive-Tatum: A Predominantly Black Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Mt. Olive-Tatum, a neighborhood in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, exhibits Low Diversity with a clear Racial Majority of Black residents. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a population of 385 and a median income of $32,636. This area has undergone demographic and economic changes over the past decade, reflecting trends in urban development and community transformation.
From 2013 to 2022, Mt. Olive-Tatum has maintained its status as a Black Majority neighborhood. There were subtle shifts in diversity between 2016 and 2020. From 2013-2015, the neighborhood had Low Diversity with a 100% Black population. From 2016-2020, there was a slight increase in diversity, though still categorized as Low Diversity, with the introduction of a small Two or More Races population (3-6%). In 2021-2022, the neighborhood returned to Low Diversity with a 100% Black population.
The neighborhood has experienced significant economic growth over the decade. From 2013-2015, the median income was extremely low ($10,000-$10,642). In 2016-2017, there was a sharp increase to $17,000-$17,240. From 2018-2022, there was substantial growth to $30,260-$32,636. This economic progress correlates with slight demographic shifts, suggesting that increased economic opportunities may have briefly attracted a more diverse population.
Population trends show a decline from 1,365 in 2010 to 385 in 2022, which could be attributed to various factors such as urban migration, changing family structures, or housing market dynamics.
The economic growth in Mt. Olive-Tatum is noteworthy given the context of Mississippi, which often ranks among the states with the lowest median incomes in the U.S. The neighborhood's median income growth from $10,000 to over $32,000 in less than a decade represents a significant improvement in local economic conditions.
The persistent Black Majority in Mt. Olive-Tatum aligns with the historical demographic patterns of many Southern urban neighborhoods, particularly in states like Mississippi with a large African American population. The brief period of increased diversity (2016-2020) might reflect wider national trends towards urban diversification, even if these changes were not sustained in this particular neighborhood.
The substantial population decrease, coupled with income growth, suggests a possible gentrification process or urban renewal effort that may have displaced some original residents while improving economic conditions for those who remained. This pattern is observed in many urban areas across the U.S., where neighborhood improvement often comes at the cost of demographic shifts.
Mt. Olive-Tatum presents a case of a neighborhood that has maintained its racial composition while experiencing significant economic growth. This suggests that local policies or community initiatives may have successfully improved economic conditions for long-term residents, contrary to the trend of displacement often associated with rapid economic development in urban areas.
