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Demographic Evolution in Lake Trace: From Moderate Diversity to Black Majority
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Lake Trace, a neighborhood in Jackson, Mississippi, underwent a significant demographic shift between 2013 and 2022, transitioning from a moderately diverse community to one with a clear Black majority. In 2013, the neighborhood exhibited moderate diversity with a nearly even split between White (51%) and Black (46%) residents. By 2022, the Black population had increased to 70%, establishing a clear racial majority. This demographic evolution occurred gradually over the observed period.
The median income in Lake Trace remained relatively stable throughout the demographic transition, ranging from approximately $76,000 to $87,000. The highest median income of $86,982 was recorded in 2017, coinciding with the period of most balanced diversity. As the community transitioned to a Black majority, there was a slight decline in median income, but it remained comparatively high at $78,678 in 2022.
Lake Trace experienced a significant population decrease during the observed period, declining from 1,650 residents in 2010 to 960 in 2022. This population decline accelerated as the racial composition shifted, potentially indicating changing neighborhood dynamics or external factors affecting residency patterns.
The demographic shift in Lake Trace is notable when compared to broader trends. While many U.S. cities have experienced increasing diversity, Lake Trace moved from a more diverse composition to a predominantly Black community. This trend aligns with some patterns of urban demographic change, where certain neighborhoods become concentrated centers for specific racial or ethnic groups.
The relatively high and stable median income in Lake Trace, even as it transitioned to a Black majority, is significant. It suggests that the neighborhood maintained its economic status despite demographic changes. This stability could indicate that the incoming Black residents are of similar or higher socioeconomic status, potentially representing a form of "Black flight" from other areas of Jackson or in-migration of middle-class Black families from other regions.
The population decline raises questions about the overall attractiveness or capacity of the neighborhood. It could reflect broader trends of suburbanization or out-migration from Jackson, or it might indicate changes in housing density or family sizes within Lake Trace itself.
Lake Trace presents a case of a neighborhood transitioning from moderate diversity to a Black majority while maintaining relatively high median incomes. This evolution reflects complex dynamics of race, class, and urban development that merit further investigation into local policies, housing markets, and social factors driving these changes.
