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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in Old Fourth Ward, Atlanta: 2013-2022
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Old Fourth Ward in Atlanta, Georgia, currently presents as a Majority-Minority neighborhood with a Moderate Diversity profile. As of 2022, the community has a population of 15,026 and a median income of $75,652. Old Fourth Ward is historically significant as the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and has been undergoing significant gentrification and redevelopment in recent years.
Over the past decade, Old Fourth Ward has undergone a transformation from a Black Plurality community to a Majority-Minority neighborhood with increasing Moderate Diversity. In 2013, the neighborhood had a Black Plurality with 49% of the population identifying as Black. By 2022, this had shifted, with the White population growing to 50% and the Black population decreasing to 36%.
This transition occurred gradually, with the community moving through various stages: 2013-2017: Black Plurality with increasing diversity; 2018-2019: Transition period, moving towards Moderate Diversity; 2020-2022: Stabilization as a Majority-Minority community with Moderate Diversity. The Asian population has increased from 4% in 2013 to 5% in 2022, with a peak of 7% in 2021. The Hispanic population has remained relatively stable at around 4-5% throughout the period.
The demographic shifts in Old Fourth Ward correlate with economic changes. The median income has increased from $52,346 in 2013 to $75,652 in 2022, representing a 44.5% growth. This trend aligns with the increasing White population and decreasing Black population, suggesting a process of gentrification. The population has grown from 10,994 in 2013 to 15,026 in 2022, a 36.7% increase. This population growth, coupled with the rising median income and changing racial composition, indicates a neighborhood undergoing rapid development and attracting more affluent residents.
The changes observed in Old Fourth Ward reflect broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States, particularly in historically Black neighborhoods close to city centers. This pattern of gentrification, characterized by an influx of more affluent, often White residents, rising property values, and displacement of long-time residents, has been observed in cities like Washington D.C., Brooklyn in New York, and parts of Los Angeles. Old Fourth Ward's transformation appears to be rapid and pronounced. The 44.5% increase in median income over nine years is higher than the national average income growth rate during the same period. The shift from a predominantly Black neighborhood to one where White residents make up half the population in less than a decade is a fast demographic change.
These trends raise questions about affordable housing, community preservation, and inclusive development in rapidly changing urban neighborhoods. While the economic growth and diversification can bring new opportunities and resources to the area, they also pose challenges in terms of maintaining the neighborhood's historical character and ensuring that long-time residents can continue to afford to live there.
