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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in Cortana Neighborhood, Baton Rouge
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Cortana neighborhood in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is classified as a "Racial Majority" community with a 71% Black population as of 2022. Over the past decade, this area has undergone significant demographic changes and income fluctuations. The neighborhood is notable for previously housing the Cortana Mall, a major shopping center that ceased operations in 2021, potentially affecting local economic and demographic patterns.
From 2013 to 2018, Cortana transitioned from a "Racial Majority" Black community to a "Racial Plurality" Black community, with the Black population decreasing from 63% to 51%. This period saw increases in Asian and Hispanic populations. However, from 2019 to 2022, the neighborhood reverted to a "Racial Majority" Black community, with the Black population increasing from 58% to 71% and the white population decreasing from 22% to 12%.
The neighborhood exhibited characteristics of a "Transitional Community" between 2014 and 2018, with growing Hispanic and Asian populations. This trend, however, reversed in recent years. The median income in Cortana has shown significant fluctuations over the decade, with a general downward trend from $48,946 in 2013 to $39,495 in 2021, before increasing to $48,572 in 2022.
The period of increasing diversity (2014-2018) corresponded with relatively stable median incomes around $47,000-$51,000. The recent shift back to a stronger Black majority coincided with more volatile income levels, including the lowest ($39,495 in 2021) and one of the highest ($52,353 in 2020) median incomes in the dataset. Population figures have generally declined over the decade, from 3,463 in 2013 to 3,336 in 2022, with some fluctuations. This could indicate outmigration, possibly related to economic factors or the closure of the Cortana Mall.
The demographic shifts in Cortana appear more pronounced than typical national trends. The significant increase in the Black population percentage, coupled with decreases in other racial groups, suggests a unique local phenomenon that may be influenced by factors such as housing policies, economic opportunities, or cultural shifts specific to Baton Rouge or the Cortana area. The economic volatility, particularly the sharp drop in median income in 2021 followed by a rebound in 2022, could be related to the broader economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recovery. However, the local impact seems more severe than national averages, possibly exacerbated by local factors such as the mall closure.
Cortana has undergone significant demographic and economic changes over the past decade, transitioning from a moderately diverse community to one with a stronger Black majority. These shifts, coupled with economic fluctuations, suggest a neighborhood in transition, possibly grappling with local economic challenges while also experiencing demographic consolidation.
