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Demographic Shifts in Inglenook: From Black Majority to Moderate Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Inglenook, a neighborhood in Birmingham, Alabama, is characterized as a Black Majority community with a median income of $40,702 as of 2022. The area has undergone significant demographic and economic changes over the past decade. Inglenook has historical importance in Birmingham's industrial past, having been home to several iron furnaces that were crucial in the city's early development.
In 2013, Inglenook was categorized as a Black Majority community, with 81% of the population identifying as Black. Over the decade, while maintaining its Black Majority status, the neighborhood has shown signs of becoming a Transitional Community. The percentage of Black residents decreased from 81% in 2013 to 68% in 2022, while the Hispanic population increased from 0% to 13% during the same period. This shift indicates a trend towards increasing diversity, albeit at a gradual pace.
The White population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 16% and 22% over the decade. There has also been a slight increase in residents identifying as two or more races, from 0% in 2013 to 2% in 2022, further contributing to the neighborhood's evolving diversity.
The median income in Inglenook has shown an upward trend, increasing from $29,531 in 2013 to $40,702 in 2022, representing a 37.8% growth over the decade. This economic improvement correlates with the demographic shifts, particularly the increase in Hispanic residents and the slight decrease in the Black majority.
As the median income rose, the population decreased from 4,974 in 2013 to 4,312 in 2022, a decline of about 13.3%. This suggests that while the overall economic condition of the neighborhood improved, some residents may have moved out, possibly due to rising costs of living or other socio-economic factors.
The demographic shifts in Inglenook reflect broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas. The growth in the Hispanic population aligns with national patterns of Hispanic population growth in many U.S. cities. However, the retention of a strong Black majority distinguishes Inglenook from many other diversifying neighborhoods that might be transitioning more rapidly towards High or Moderate Diversity.
The increase in median income, while significant, still places Inglenook below the national median household income, which was approximately $70,784 in 2021. This suggests that while the neighborhood is experiencing economic growth, it still faces economic challenges compared to national averages.
The population decline in Inglenook contrasts with the general trend of urban population growth seen in many U.S. cities over the past decade. This could indicate unique local factors affecting population dynamics, such as changes in housing availability, job markets, or possibly gentrification pressures in nearby areas of Birmingham.
Inglenook represents a community in transition, maintaining its Black Majority status while gradually diversifying, particularly with growth in its Hispanic population. The economic improvements, as evidenced by rising median incomes, suggest positive development, but the concurrent population decline presents a complex picture of neighborhood change that warrants further investigation into local economic and social factors.
