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Demographic and Racial Shifts in McFerrin Park: A Study of a Black Majority Neighborhood
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CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
McFerrin Park, a neighborhood in Nashville, Tennessee, exhibits a Black Majority demographic composition, with 61% of the population identifying as Black in 2022. The neighborhood has undergone economic changes over the past decade, with median income increasing from $19,742 in 2013 to $48,158 in 2022. This income growth suggests a trend of gentrification, potentially impacting the neighborhood's character and demographic makeup.
From 2013 to 2022, McFerrin Park has maintained a Black Majority status, though the percentage of Black residents has decreased from 78% to 61%. This shift indicates a gradual transition towards increased diversity. The White population has grown from 13% to 27%, while the Hispanic population has increased from 4% to 9%. The neighborhood appears to be in a Transitional Community phase, with consistent increases in White and Hispanic populations over the decade.
The median income in McFerrin Park has increased by 144% from 2013 to 2022. This economic shift correlates with the changing racial demographics. As the percentage of White residents increased and Black residents decreased, the median income rose significantly. This pattern suggests gentrification, where higher-income residents move into historically lower-income, predominantly Black neighborhoods.
The population has remained relatively stable, growing from 2,674 in 2013 to 2,827 in 2022, indicating that the demographic changes are likely due to resident turnover rather than significant new development.
The trends observed in McFerrin Park align with broader patterns of gentrification seen in many urban areas across the United States. Cities like Atlanta, Washington D.C., and Portland have experienced similar demographic shifts in historically Black neighborhoods near city centers.
Nashville, as a rapidly growing city, has seen significant urban redevelopment and population growth in recent years. The changes in McFerrin Park reflect this larger trend, where centrally located neighborhoods experience an influx of higher-income residents, often leading to displacement of long-time, lower-income residents.
The income growth in McFerrin Park outpaces the national average, which saw median household income increase by about 30% from 2013 to 2022. This above-average growth further supports the gentrification hypothesis and suggests that McFerrin Park is experiencing more rapid economic changes than many other U.S. neighborhoods.
McFerrin Park is undergoing a transformation from a predominantly Black, lower-income neighborhood to a more diverse, higher-income area. While still maintaining a Black Majority status, the trends suggest continued movement towards greater racial and economic diversity, with potential challenges related to community preservation and affordable housing for long-time residents.
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