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Demographic Changes in Southwest Schuylkill: From Black Majority to Increasing Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Southwest Schuylkill, a neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, exhibits characteristics of a "Black Majority" community with low diversity. In 2022, 77% of its population identified as Black. The neighborhood has experienced demographic and economic changes over the past decade. The median income was $36,241 in 2022, indicating economic challenges. Southwest Schuylkill is home to Bartram's Garden, America's oldest surviving botanical garden.
From 2013 to 2022, Southwest Schuylkill maintained its status as a "Black Majority" community. The Black population percentage decreased from 86% in 2013 to 77% in 2022. This shift suggests the neighborhood is slowly becoming more diverse. The community shows signs of becoming a "Transitional Community." There was an increase in residents identifying as two or more races (from 0% in 2013 to 7% in 2022) and a slight increase in the Hispanic population (from 0% to 3%).
The median income in Southwest Schuylkill increased from $31,720 in 2013 to $36,241 in 2022, representing a 14.3% increase. This growth was not consistent, with fluctuations observed throughout the decade. The period of most significant income growth (2013-2019) coincided with a slight decrease in the Black majority percentage and increases in other racial groups. The population decreased from 9,498 in 2013 to 7,513 in 2022, a 20.9% decline.
The trends observed in Southwest Schuylkill reflect broader patterns seen in many urban areas across the United States. The gradual diversification of historically Black neighborhoods is a common phenomenon in many cities, often associated with processes of urban renewal, gentrification, and changing housing preferences.
Southwest Schuylkill's 2021 median income of $38,984 is significantly below the United States median household income of approximately $70,784 in 2021, indicating persistent economic challenges despite observed income growth. The population decline in Southwest Schuylkill contrasts with Philadelphia's overall population trend, which saw slight growth between 2010 and 2020.
Southwest Schuylkill is undergoing a gradual transition, moving slowly from a highly homogeneous Black majority community towards increased diversity. Economic indicators show some improvement, but the neighborhood still faces significant economic challenges compared to national averages. These changes reflect broader urban trends but also highlight the unique trajectory of this Philadelphia neighborhood.
