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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Brainerd Park in Chattanooga, Tennessee, exhibits moderate diversity as of 2022, with a White plurality of 50% and a significant Black population of 34%. The median income in 2022 was $40,927, indicating a working-class community. The neighborhood has historical significance as part of the former Brainerd Mission, an early 19th-century Cherokee Indian mission and school.
Over the past decade, Brainerd Park has undergone significant demographic changes. In 2013, the neighborhood had a Black plurality of 48% with a nearly equal White population of 47%. From 2014 to 2018, it transitioned to a Black majority, with the Black population consistently above 50%. Since 2019, this trend has gradually reversed.
By 2021-2022, Brainerd Park transitioned to a White plurality, with the White population reaching 50-52%. This shift indicates a transitional community, moving from a predominantly Black neighborhood to one with more balanced racial representation. The Hispanic population has grown gradually from 4% in 2013 to 9% in 2022. The percentage of residents identifying as two or more races has increased from 0% in 2013 to 6% in 2022, further enhancing diversity.
The median income in Brainerd Park has fluctuated but shows an overall upward trend. From $40,844 in 2013, it decreased to $34,938 in 2016 before gradually increasing to $40,927 in 2022. This economic recovery coincides with the shift towards a more balanced racial composition. The years of lowest median income (2014-2017) correspond with the period of highest Black population percentage.
The population of Brainerd Park has decreased from 1,409 in 2010 to 1,166 in 2022, suggesting some outmigration. This could be related to changing economic conditions or housing market dynamics.
The demographic shifts in Brainerd Park reflect broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban neighborhoods. Many U.S. cities have experienced similar transitions, with historically Black neighborhoods seeing an influx of White residents, often accompanied by economic changes. The gradual increase in median income, while positive, still places Brainerd Park below the national median household income of approximately $70,000 in 2022.
The growth in the Hispanic population and those identifying as two or more races aligns with national demographic trends, reflecting increasing diversity across the United States. Brainerd Park exemplifies a transitional community, evolving from a predominantly Black neighborhood to one of moderate diversity with a White plurality. This demographic shift has been accompanied by modest economic improvements, though challenges remain. The neighborhood's changing composition reflects broader national trends towards increased diversity and complex urban demographic dynamics.