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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in Upper Baseline, Little Rock
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Upper Baseline, a neighborhood in Little Rock, Arkansas, exhibits characteristics of a Majority-Minority community with a Black Majority. As of 2022, the neighborhood's population is 12,887, with a median income of $38,664. This area has undergone demographic shifts over the past decade, transitioning from a balanced racial composition to one dominated by minority groups. Upper Baseline has seen an increase in its Hispanic population, suggesting it may be emerging as a new cultural hub within Little Rock.
In 2013, Upper Baseline had Moderate Diversity, with Black (48%), White (25%), and Hispanic (24%) populations representing significant portions of the community. Over the next decade, the neighborhood transitioned to a Black Majority by 2015, with the Black population reaching 57%. This trend continued, peaking at 60% in 2018 before declining to 51% by 2022. The Hispanic population has shown growth, increasing from 24% in 2013 to 34% in 2022. This trend suggests that Upper Baseline is becoming a Transitional Community, potentially moving towards a more diverse racial makeup in the future. The White population has declined from 25% in 2013 to 14% in 2022, solidifying the neighborhood's status as a Majority-Minority area.
The demographic shifts in Upper Baseline correlate with changes in median income. From 2013 to 2015, as the Black population increased and became the majority, the median income decreased from $27,513 to $25,373. Since 2016, there has been an upward trend in median income, rising from $30,468 to $38,664 in 2022. This economic improvement coincides with the growing Hispanic population and a stabilization of the Black majority.
The population of Upper Baseline has fluctuated over the years, with a decrease from 13,707 in 2010 to 10,473 in 2015. Since then, the population has been increasing, reaching 12,887 in 2022. This population growth aligns with the rising median income, suggesting an improvement in the neighborhood's economic conditions.
The demographic changes in Upper Baseline reflect broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas. The growth of the Hispanic population mirrors nationwide patterns of Hispanic population growth in many U.S. cities. The persistence of a Black majority in Upper Baseline is somewhat unique, as many urban areas are seeing more mixed racial compositions.
The economic improvement in Upper Baseline, especially since 2016, is noteworthy. While the median income of $38,664 in 2022 is below the national median household income, the consistent upward trend is a positive sign for the neighborhood's economic development.
Upper Baseline presents a case of a neighborhood undergoing demographic and economic changes. Its transition from Moderate Diversity to a Black Majority, coupled with a growing Hispanic population and improving economic indicators, suggests a community in flux. These changes may reshape the cultural and economic landscape of this Little Rock neighborhood in the coming years.
