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Demographic and Racial Trends in Carr Square: A Study of Neighborhood Transition
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Carr Square, a neighborhood in St. Louis, Missouri, is categorized as a Low Diversity community with a Black Majority. The neighborhood's population in 2022 was 1,451 with a median income of $18,235. Carr Square has undergone significant demographic and economic changes over the past decade, reflecting broader urban trends of population decline and income fluctuation in historically underserved communities.
From 2013 to 2022, Carr Square maintained its status as a Black Majority community. The Black population percentage decreased from 96% in 2013 to 89% in 2022. Hispanic representation increased from 0% in 2013 to 6% in 2022. The White population grew from 0% to 4% over the same period. These changes suggest a slow but steady diversification of the neighborhood.
The median income in Carr Square has fluctuated over the past decade. It reached a low point of $11,554 in 2017. There has been a general upward trend since then, peaking at $19,639 in 2021. The most recent figure of $18,235 in 2022 represents a slight decrease but is still significantly higher than the 2013 level of $16,284.
These economic changes correlate with the demographic shifts. The period of lowest income (2016-2017) coincided with the highest Black population percentage (99%). The recent income improvements align with the gradual increase in racial diversity. The population has steadily declined from 2,783 in 2013 to 1,451 in 2022, which may indicate outmigration of long-term residents and potential gentrification pressures.
The trends observed in Carr Square reflect broader patterns seen in many urban areas across the United States. The gradual diversification of historically segregated neighborhoods is a common phenomenon in many American cities. The economic improvements, coupled with population decline, suggest a possible gentrification process, which is often observed in urban neighborhoods close to city centers. The median income, while improving, remains significantly below the national median, indicating persistent economic challenges in the area.
Carr Square is undergoing a slow but noticeable transition from a highly segregated, low-income area to a slightly more diverse community with modest economic improvements. The substantial population decline raises questions about displacement and the long-term sustainability of these changes. The neighborhood's evolution presents both opportunities and challenges for community development and social cohesion in the coming years.
