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Demographic and Racial Trends in Bingville: A Study of a Black Majority Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Bingville, a neighborhood in Savannah, Georgia, is classified as a "Black Majority" community with a median income of $37,964 as of 2022. The neighborhood has undergone significant demographic and economic changes over the past decade. Bingville has experienced a substantial population increase, growing from 613 residents in 2018 to 1,110 in 2022, indicating a rapid influx of new residents that may be altering the community's composition.
In 2013, Bingville was categorized as a "Black Majority" community, with 69% of the population identifying as Black. This classification remained consistent throughout the decade, although the neighborhood experienced fluctuations in its racial composition. Between 2016 and 2018, there was a shift towards greater diversity. The Black population decreased to 46% in 2018, nearly transitioning the neighborhood to a "Black Plurality" status. During this period, there was an increase in the Asian population (from 1% to 7%) and the White population (from 24% to 38%), indicating a trend towards "Moderate Diversity."
From 2019 onwards, the neighborhood reverted to a stronger "Black Majority" status, with the Black population rising back to 66% by 2022. This shift suggests a reversal of the diversification trend seen in the mid-2010s. The demographic shifts in Bingville correlate with changes in median income. As the neighborhood moved towards greater diversity between 2016 and 2018, there was an increase in median income, rising from $24,923 in 2016 to $36,305 in 2018. This period of increased diversity coincided with the highest rate of economic growth in the decade.
As the neighborhood reverted to a stronger Black majority from 2019 onwards, the median income growth rate slowed. While it continued to increase, reaching $42,032 in 2021, it then decreased to $37,964 in 2022. This trend suggests that the period of greater racial diversity was associated with more rapid economic growth. The population of Bingville has grown significantly, especially from 2019 to 2022, increasing from 759 to 1,110 residents. This population growth, combined with the strengthening of the Black majority, might indicate an influx of Black residents.
The demographic trends in Bingville reflect broader national conversations about gentrification, racial dynamics in urban areas, and the relationship between diversity and economic development. The brief period of increased diversity and rapid income growth from 2016 to 2018 aligns with patterns seen in other urban neighborhoods experiencing gentrification. The subsequent reversal of this trend, with a strengthening Black majority and slowed income growth, may reflect local efforts to preserve the community's cultural identity or policies aimed at maintaining affordable housing for long-term residents.
The significant population growth in recent years, despite the economic slowdown, suggests that Bingville might be experiencing a form of "Black gentrification" or targeted community investment, attracting more middle-class Black residents. This trend contrasts with many urban areas where gentrification often leads to the displacement of minority communities. Bingville's demographic and economic evolution over the past decade presents a complex picture of community change. While it has maintained its status as a Black Majority neighborhood, it has experienced periods of increased diversity and significant economic growth, followed by a demographic consolidation and more modest economic gains. These trends highlight the relationships between racial composition, economic development, and community identity in urban neighborhoods.
