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Demographic and Economic Trends in Near North: A Black Majority Neighborhood in Minneapolis
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Near North neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota, is characterized as a Black Majority community, with 65% of its population identifying as Black in 2022. This neighborhood has experienced demographic and economic changes over the past decade. As of 2022, the median income was $42,712, showing an increase from earlier years. Near North has historical significance in Minneapolis's African American community, having been a center of Black culture and entrepreneurship since the early 20th century.
In 2013, Near North was categorized as a Majority-Minority community, with Black residents comprising 51% of the population. Over the years, it transitioned to a Black Majority community, with the Black population increasing to 65% by 2022. This shift indicates a consolidation of the Black community in the area. The Asian population decreased from 21% in 2013 to 5% in 2022, while the Hispanic population declined from 14% to 2% during the same period. The White population increased from 11% to 23%, suggesting a potential trend towards gentrification.
The median income in Near North has shown an upward trajectory, rising from $26,112 in 2013 to $42,712 in 2022, with a peak of $49,205 in 2021. This increase in median income correlates with the demographic shifts, particularly the growth in the White population percentage. The population of Near North has fluctuated, growing from 5,899 in 2013 to a peak of 7,508 in 2020, before declining slightly to 6,967 in 2022. This population growth, combined with rising incomes, suggests an influx of new residents and potential economic development in the area.
The demographic changes in Near North reflect broader national trends of gentrification in urban areas, where historically minority neighborhoods experience an influx of higher-income residents, often accompanied by rising property values and displacement of long-term residents. The increase in median income in Near North outpaces the national average income growth rate, which suggests localized factors driving economic change. This could be related to urban development initiatives or spillover effects from economic growth in the Minneapolis metro area.
The consolidation of the Black majority in Near North, despite gentrification pressures, is noteworthy and may indicate strong community ties and efforts to preserve the neighborhood's cultural identity. However, the decline in Asian and Hispanic populations suggests that these groups may have been more vulnerable to displacement as the area's economic profile changed. Near North has transformed from a Majority-Minority community to a more economically prosperous Black Majority area over the past decade. While this change has brought increased income levels, it has also altered the neighborhood's diverse character, potentially raising concerns about inclusivity and affordability for long-term residents.
