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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Jefferson Heights, a neighborhood in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has undergone significant demographic changes from 2013 to 2022. The area transitioned from a moderately diverse community to a predominantly White neighborhood during this period. This shift coincided with substantial population growth and economic changes.
In 2013, Jefferson Heights was characterized as a Moderate Diversity community, with the population nearly evenly divided between White (53%) and Black (45%) residents. By 2022, the demographic composition had shifted, with the White population increasing to 60% and the Black population decreasing to 33% of the total residents. This change in racial composition occurred alongside rapid population growth, with the number of residents nearly tripling from 81 in 2010 to 243 in 2022.
The economic landscape of Jefferson Heights also experienced significant transformation during this period. The median income more than doubled, increasing from $47,749 in 2013 to $96,442 in 2022. This substantial rise in income levels correlates with the observed demographic shifts, suggesting an influx of higher-income earners as the neighborhood transitioned to a White Majority status.
The peak of this economic surge occurred in 2019, with a median income of $102,626, followed by a slight decline and stabilization around $96,000 in subsequent years. This pattern may indicate a maturation of the gentrification process, with property values and incomes reaching a plateau.
The changes observed in Jefferson Heights reflect broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States, where historically diverse or predominantly minority neighborhoods undergo significant demographic and economic shifts. The rapid increase in median income in Jefferson Heights far outpaces national averages, suggesting a particularly intense period of neighborhood change.
The population growth from 81 to 243 residents over 12 years, while maintaining a relatively high median income, indicates that Jefferson Heights has likely become an attractive area for young professionals or families seeking urban living with suburban amenities. This trend is common in revitalizing urban neighborhoods.
The persistence of a significant Black population (33% in 2022) despite the overall shift towards a White Majority suggests that some level of diversity has been maintained. However, the declining percentage of Black residents from 45% to 33% over a decade raises questions about potential displacement and the accessibility of the neighborhood to a diverse range of incomes and backgrounds.
In conclusion, Jefferson Heights has transformed from a moderately diverse, lower-income area to a predominantly White, high-income neighborhood. This change reflects broader patterns of urban gentrification and presents challenges and opportunities for community cohesion and inclusive development in Chattanooga.