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Demographic Stability and Economic Challenges in Altgeld Gardens: A Predominantly African American Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Altgeld Gardens, a neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois, currently exhibits a "Low Diversity" community with a "Black Majority." As of 2022, the African American population comprises 94% of the neighborhood, with a median income of $16,113. This income level is below the national average, indicating economic challenges within the community. Altgeld Gardens was initially constructed as a public housing project in the 1940s for African American veterans returning from World War II, and has been associated with environmental justice issues due to its proximity to industrial sites and landfills.
Over the past decade, Altgeld Gardens has maintained its status as a "Low Diversity" community with a "Black Majority." The African American population has remained above 90% from 2013 to 2022. There have been minor fluctuations in the Hispanic population, ranging from 2% to 6%, but these changes have not significantly altered the overall demographic categorization of the neighborhood.
The community has shown minimal signs of transitioning towards greater diversity. In recent years (2021-2022), there has been a small increase in the "Two or More Races" category (2%), which could potentially indicate the beginnings of a very slow shift towards slightly more diversity, but it is too early to categorize this as a "Transitional Community."
The median income in Altgeld Gardens has fluctuated over the past decade, but has generally remained very low. From 2013 to 2019, there was a downward trend in median income, dropping from $15,151 to $12,742. However, there has been a slight recovery in recent years, with the median income rising to $16,113 in 2022. This recent uptick is a positive sign, but the overall income level remains low compared to national and city averages.
The population of Altgeld Gardens has fluctuated over the years, peaking at 3,212 in 2014 and then generally declining to 2,788 in 2022. This population decrease could be related to various factors, including limited economic opportunities or housing conditions.
The persistent low diversity and economic challenges in Altgeld Gardens contrast with broader trends in many urban areas across the United States, where increasing diversity and gentrification have been more common. The neighborhood's demographic stability is unusual in the context of Chicago, a city known for its diverse neighborhoods and changing demographics.
The median income in Altgeld Gardens ($16,113 in 2022) is below Chicago's overall median household income, which was approximately $62,097 in 2020. This disparity highlights the economic isolation of the neighborhood within the larger urban context.
The persistent racial homogeneity of Altgeld Gardens also contrasts with national trends towards increasing diversity in urban areas. While many cities have seen growing Hispanic and Asian populations and increases in multiracial residents, Altgeld Gardens has maintained a predominantly African American population.
Altgeld Gardens presents a case of demographic stability in the face of economic challenges. The neighborhood's resistance to diversification and its persistent economic struggles suggest a need for targeted economic development initiatives and potentially improved connectivity with the broader Chicago metropolitan area to foster greater opportunities for its residents.
