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Demographic and Racial Evolution in Chattanooga's Fortwood Historic District: A White Majority Neighborhood in Transition
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Fortwood Historic District in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is classified as a "White Majority" neighborhood, with 67% of the population identifying as white in 2022. The area has undergone significant economic changes over the past decade, with median income increasing from $34,547 in 2019 to $92,671 in 2022. The district is known for its preserved late 19th and early 20th-century architecture, which may influence its demographic and economic trends.
From 2013 to 2022, the Fortwood Historic District maintained its status as a "White Majority" neighborhood. The white population percentage increased from 58% in 2013 to 81% in 2020, before decreasing to 67% in 2022. The black population varied, ranging from 17% in 2019-2020 to 35% in 2014, settling at 27% in 2022. The Asian population decreased from 13% in 2013 to 1% in 2022. Hispanic representation reached 3% in 2022. These shifts suggest a trend towards "Moderate Diversity" in recent years.
The neighborhood experienced significant economic changes. Median income remained stable between $19,018 and $34,547 from 2013 to 2019. A substantial increase occurred in 2020, with median income rising to $92,765. This high income level has been maintained through 2022, with slight fluctuations. The increase in median income coincides with the peak of white population percentage in 2020, suggesting a potential correlation between demographic shifts and economic changes.
Population trends have been variable, with a general decrease from 858 in 2013 to 603 in 2019, followed by an increase to 859 in 2022. This recent population growth, coupled with increased diversity and high median income, may indicate renewed interest in the neighborhood.
The increase in median income in Fortwood Historic District is atypical compared to national trends. While the U.S. median household income grew by about 10% between 2019 and 2021, Fortwood's increase was over 170% in the same period. This suggests localized factors, such as targeted redevelopment or an influx of high-income residents, rather than broader economic trends.
The neighborhood's racial composition changes align with national trends towards increasing diversity in urban areas. However, the maintenance of a white majority in Fortwood contrasts with many urban historic districts that have experienced more significant demographic shifts towards minority majorities.
The recent introduction of Hispanic residents and the increase in the black population percentage since 2020 indicate that Fortwood may be entering a phase as a "Transitional Community," potentially moving towards greater diversity in the coming years. This transition, coupled with high median incomes, suggests a complex interplay between gentrification, historic preservation, and increasing diversity that may shape the neighborhood's future character and socio-economic landscape.
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