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Demographic Shifts in Blackshear: From Low Diversity to Increasing Racial Integration
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Blackshear neighborhood in Savannah, Georgia, is categorized as a Low Diversity community with a Black Majority. As of 2022, the Black population constitutes 76% of the neighborhood, with a White presence of 20%. The neighborhood has experienced demographic shifts over the past decade, along with economic changes. Blackshear has historical significance in Savannah's African American community, with origins in the post-Civil War era.
Over the past decade, Blackshear has transitioned from a community with an overwhelming Black Majority to one that, while still predominantly Black, shows signs of increasing diversity. In 2013, the neighborhood was in the Low Diversity category with 89% Black population. By 2022, while maintaining a Black Majority, the percentage decreased to 76%, indicating a trend towards Moderate Diversity.
The White population has increased significantly, growing from 10% in 2013 to 20% in 2022. The percentage of residents identifying as two or more races has risen from 0% to 3% during this period. These changes suggest that Blackshear is becoming a Transitional Community, moving away from its historical status as a predominantly Black neighborhood.
The demographic shifts in Blackshear correlate with changes in median income. In 2013, the median income was $21,412, and it has shown an upward trend, reaching $29,098 in 2022. This represents a 35.9% increase over the decade, outpacing inflation. As the neighborhood has become more diverse, there has been a corresponding increase in median income. This could suggest that the influx of new residents, particularly the growing White population, may be bringing higher-income households into the area. The population has decreased from 645 in 2013 to 483 in 2022, a 25.1% reduction.
The demographic changes in Blackshear reflect trends seen in many urban areas across the United States, where historically Black neighborhoods are experiencing gentrification and increasing diversity. The income growth in Blackshear, while positive, still leaves the neighborhood below the median household income for Savannah as a whole, which was approximately $43,000 in 2020. The population decrease in Blackshear contrasts with Savannah's overall population growth during the same period, suggesting that Blackshear's changes are more localized and potentially tied to neighborhood-specific developments or policies.
Blackshear is undergoing a transition, moving from a Low Diversity, predominantly Black neighborhood towards a more diverse community. While still maintaining a Black Majority, the increasing presence of White residents and those of mixed race, coupled with rising incomes, suggests a neighborhood in flux. These changes alter the cultural fabric of this historically significant African American community in Savannah.
