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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in Morningside, Knoxville: A Study of Black Majority Transition
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Morningside, a neighborhood in Knoxville, Tennessee, exhibits characteristics of a Black Majority community with moderate diversity. As of 2022, the Black population comprises 56% of residents, while the White population has grown to 40%. The neighborhood has experienced economic growth, with median income rising from $18,972 in 2019 to $24,356 in 2022. Morningside is located near Knoxville College, which has influenced the area's cultural and educational landscape.
Over the past decade, Morningside has undergone a gradual transition from a Black Majority community towards a more diverse demographic composition. In 2013, the neighborhood was categorized as Black Majority, with 64% of the population identifying as Black. By 2022, this percentage had decreased to 56%, just above the threshold for a racial majority. The White population has increased from 28% in 2013 to 40% in 2022, indicating a trend towards Moderate Diversity. The Hispanic population has remained relatively stable around 3-4% in recent years.
The demographic shifts in Morningside have coincided with economic improvements. The median income has risen from $17,877 in 2013 to $24,356 in 2022, representing a 36% increase over nine years. The population has fluctuated over the years, with a low of 4,306 in 2018 and a high of 5,563 in 2013. The current population of 5,403 in 2022 suggests a recent resurgence.
The trends observed in Morningside reflect broader national patterns 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 development. Morningside's median income of $24,356 in 2022 remains low compared to the national median household income of approximately $70,000 in 2021, indicating ongoing economic challenges.
The gradual nature of this demographic shift in Morningside, occurring over a decade, indicates a more organic change rather than rapid gentrification seen in some urban areas. This slower pace of change may allow for better integration and community cohesion as the neighborhood evolves.
Morningside is exhibiting characteristics of a Transitional Community, moving from a Black Majority towards Moderate Diversity. This transition, coupled with economic improvements, suggests a neighborhood in flux, potentially offering new opportunities and challenges for its residents as it continues to evolve in the coming years.
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