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Demographic Composition and Economic Trends in Gert Town, New Orleans: A Predominantly African American Neighborhood (2013-2022)
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Gert Town, a neighborhood in New Orleans, Louisiana, is characterized as a "Low Diversity" community with a "Racial Majority" of Black residents. As of 2022, 82% of the population identifies as Black, with a median income of $25,884. This neighborhood is located near Xavier University of Louisiana, the nation's only historically Black and Catholic university. Gert Town has undergone significant demographic and economic changes over the past decade.
Throughout the analyzed period (2013-2022), Gert Town has maintained its status as a "Low Diversity" community with a "Black Majority." The percentage of Black residents has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 78% and 84%. The White population decreased slightly from 11% in 2013 to 9% in 2022. The Hispanic population varied between 3% to 7% over the years. The Asian population increased from 1% in 2013 to 4% in 2020, before returning to 1% in 2022. These minor shifts suggest gradual diversification, although not enough to change its overall categorization.
The neighborhood has experienced significant economic changes correlating with its demographic shifts. Median income increased from $15,918 in 2013 to $25,884 in 2022, an increase of about 63%. The population grew from 3,840 in 2013 to 5,243 in 2022, an increase of about 37%. The increase in median income and population growth suggests an improving economic situation in Gert Town.
The trends observed in Gert Town can be placed within the broader context of New Orleans and national trends. New Orleans has been experiencing gentrification and demographic changes in many neighborhoods since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Gert Town's relatively stable racial composition suggests it has been less affected by these city-wide trends compared to some other areas.
The increase in median income in Gert Town, while significant, still leaves the neighborhood well below the national median household income, which was around $70,784 in 2021. This indicates that while economic conditions are improving, Gert Town remains an economically challenged area. The growth in population aligns with the overall trend of New Orleans regaining population post-Katrina, though Gert Town's growth rate appears to be higher than the city average.
The persistently high percentage of Black residents in Gert Town contrasts with national trends of increasing racial diversity in urban areas, suggesting that local factors may be influencing demographic stability. In conclusion, while Gert Town has maintained its status as a predominantly Black, low-diversity neighborhood over the past decade, it has seen notable economic improvements and population growth. These changes have not significantly altered the racial composition of the area, highlighting the complex interplay between demographic stability and economic development in urban neighborhoods.
