Loading Content...
Demographic and Racial Analysis of Broadway East, Baltimore: A Predominantly Black Neighborhood in Transition
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Broadway East, a neighborhood in Baltimore, Maryland, is characterized as a "Low Diversity" community with a "Racial Majority" of Black residents. As of 2022, the neighborhood's population is 3,235, with a median income of $40,052. Broadway East is part of Baltimore's historic East Side, known for its African American cultural heritage and urban revitalization efforts.
Over the past decade, Broadway East has maintained its status as a "Low Diversity" area with a strong "Black Majority." In 2013, the Black population comprised 96% of the neighborhood. This percentage has decreased to 89% by 2022, but still places the area in the "Low Diversity" category. There are signs of slow diversification: the White population increased from 2% in 2013 to a peak of 8% in 2019-2020, before declining to 2% in 2022; the Hispanic population grew from virtually non-existent in 2013 to 6% by 2022; and a small "Two or More Races" category (2% in 2022) has emerged. These changes suggest that Broadway East might be in the early stages of becoming a "Transitional Community," albeit at a slow pace.
The economic landscape of Broadway East has seen significant improvements over the past decade. Median income has more than doubled from $19,393 in 2013 to $40,052 in 2022. The most dramatic increase occurred between 2013 and 2017, with income rising by nearly 100%. Since 2017, income growth has been more modest but generally steady. This economic uplift correlates with the gradual increase in diversity, suggesting that improved economic conditions may be attracting a more diverse population to the area.
Population trends have been relatively stable, fluctuating between 3,300 and 3,900 residents over the decade. The slight overall decline from 3,579 in 2013 to 3,235 in 2022 might indicate some outmigration, possibly of long-term residents, as the neighborhood's economic profile changes.
Broadway East's demographic and economic trends reflect broader patterns seen in many urban areas across the United States. The significant increase in median income, coupled with a slight increase in racial diversity, aligns with patterns of gentrification seen in many historically Black urban neighborhoods. The gradual increase in Hispanic and multiracial populations mirrors national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas, although at a slower pace than many other cities. Despite the notable income growth, Broadway East's median income ($40,052 in 2022) remains below the national median household income (approximately $70,784 in 2021), highlighting persistent economic challenges in this urban area. The economic improvements and gradual diversification may be partly attributed to broader urban renewal efforts in Baltimore, which have aimed to revitalize historically underserved neighborhoods.
In conclusion, while Broadway East remains a predominantly Black, low-diversity neighborhood, subtle shifts in its demographic makeup and significant improvements in its economic profile over the past decade suggest the early stages of transition. These changes, while gradual, may signal the beginning of a longer-term transformation in the neighborhood's socio-economic landscape, potentially leading to increased diversity and further economic development in the coming years.
