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Demographic Changes in Treme' Lafitte: From Black Majority to Increasing Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Treme' Lafitte, a historic neighborhood in New Orleans, Louisiana, has transitioned from a Black Majority community to a Majority-Minority community with a Black Plurality between 2013 and 2022. The neighborhood's population increased from 4,251 to 5,324 during this period. The median income rose from $22,714 in 2013 to $32,840 in 2022, with a peak of $37,891 in 2021.
In 2013, Treme' Lafitte had Low Diversity, with a Black Majority comprising 74% of the population. By 2022, the neighborhood had evolved into a Majority-Minority community with Moderate Diversity. The Black population decreased to 56%, maintaining a plurality, while the White population increased from 17% to 33%. The Hispanic population remained stable at 5-7%, and the proportion of residents identifying as two or more races increased from 0% to 8%.
The demographic shifts in Treme' Lafitte correlate with changes in median income. The overall upward trend in income coincides with the increasing diversity of the neighborhood, particularly the growth in the White population percentage. This pattern suggests gentrification, a common phenomenon in historically African American urban neighborhoods.
The demographic changes in Treme' Lafitte reflect broader trends observed in many urban areas across the United States, particularly in historically Black neighborhoods. The process of gentrification, characterized by an influx of higher-income residents into previously lower-income, minority-dominated areas, is evident in the data.
These trends are notable in New Orleans, a city that has undergone significant demographic changes since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The city as a whole has experienced a decrease in its Black population and an increase in White and Hispanic residents, similar to the pattern observed in Treme' Lafitte.
The economic improvements in Treme' Lafitte, while positive in terms of rising incomes, may also present challenges such as displacement of long-term residents due to rising housing costs. This is a common concern in gentrifying neighborhoods across the country.
Treme' Lafitte exemplifies a neighborhood in transition, moving from a predominantly Black, low-income area to a more diverse, higher-income community. This transition brings economic benefits but also raises questions about preserving the neighborhood's cultural heritage and ensuring equitable development for all residents.
