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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in New Orleans' Leonidas Neighborhood (2013-2022)
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Leonidas neighborhood in New Orleans, Louisiana exhibited moderate diversity as of 2022, with a white plurality of 45% and a significant Black population of 40%. Over the past decade, the neighborhood transitioned from a Black plurality to its current demographic composition. Economically, Leonidas experienced fluctuations in median income, with the 2022 figure at $46,385, down from a peak of $54,628 in 2020. The neighborhood's proximity to Tulane and Loyola Universities likely influences its demographic makeup and economic characteristics.
From 2013 to 2017, Leonidas transitioned from a Black plurality (49%) to moderate diversity, with Black and white populations nearly equal (42% each) by 2017. The period from 2018 to 2020 saw continued moderate diversity with fluctuations, including a temporary shift back towards a Black plurality (49%) in 2020. The most recent years (2021-2022) show a transition to a white plurality (45% in 2022), with the Black population decreasing to 40%.
Median income in Leonidas demonstrated considerable volatility over the years. From 2013 to 2016, there was steady growth from $35,936 to $41,622. The years 2017 to 2019 saw fluctuations between $37,327 and $41,254. A dramatic increase to $54,628 occurred in 2020, coinciding with a temporary return to Black plurality. However, as the neighborhood transitioned to a white plurality, income fell to $46,385 by 2022.
The demographic shifts in Leonidas mirror broader trends of increasing diversity in urban areas across the United States. The rapid transition from a Black plurality to a white plurality in recent years may indicate gentrification pressures. The fluctuating income levels, particularly the sharp rise and fall between 2020 and 2022, could be related to the COVID-19 pandemic's economic impacts, which affected many urban areas nationwide.
The growing Hispanic population in Leonidas, from 5% in 2013 to 7% in 2022, aligns with national trends of increasing Hispanic populations in many U.S. cities. However, the rate of growth in Leonidas appears to be slower than the national average. The neighborhood's proximity to universities likely contributes to its moderate diversity and potentially to its economic volatility, as student populations can significantly influence local demographics and economics in university-adjacent areas.
Leonidas exemplifies a transitional community, experiencing significant demographic shifts and economic fluctuations over the past decade. These changes reflect broader urban trends while also highlighting unique local factors that continue to shape the neighborhood's character and composition.
