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Demographic Stability and Economic Change in Penrose: A Study of a Black Majority Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Penrose neighborhood in St. Louis, Missouri, is characterized as a Low Diversity community with a Black Majority. As of 2022, 95% of the population identifies as Black, with minimal representation from other racial groups. The neighborhood has experienced economic growth over the past decade, with median income increasing from $20,346 in 2013 to $35,213 in 2022. Penrose remains a lower-income area compared to national averages. The neighborhood is known for its historic architecture, featuring early 20th-century brick homes.
Throughout the period from 2013 to 2022, Penrose has maintained its status as a Low Diversity, Black Majority neighborhood. The percentage of Black residents has remained between 95% and 98%. There have been minimal shifts in other racial categories, with slight increases in White (from 0% to 2%) and Pacific Islander (from 0% to 2%) populations by 2022. The neighborhood has not transitioned to any other diversity category, maintaining its homogeneous racial composition.
The economic landscape of Penrose has seen significant changes. The median income has increased by approximately 73% from 2013 to 2022. The population has declined during this period, from 6,028 in 2013 to 4,684 in 2022, a decrease of about 22%. This population decline, coupled with income growth, could indicate a complex socio-economic shift, possibly involving the outmigration of lower-income residents or increased economic opportunities for those who remained.
The demographic stability of Penrose contrasts with national trends towards increasing diversity in urban areas. Penrose's maintenance of its Black Majority suggests a deeply rooted African American community that has resisted broader demographic shifts.
The economic growth in Penrose, while significant, still leaves the neighborhood below the national median household income, which was around $70,000 in 2022. This indicates that despite improvements, Penrose continues to face economic challenges common to many urban, predominantly Black neighborhoods across the United States.
The population decline in Penrose mirrors trends seen in some other Rust Belt cities, where economic restructuring and suburbanization have led to urban population losses. However, the concurrent income growth suggests a more nuanced picture, possibly indicating a "shrinking to strength" phenomenon where the remaining population experiences improved economic conditions.
Penrose presents a case of racial stability amidst economic change. The persistent Black Majority status, combined with rising incomes but declining population, paints a picture of a community undergoing internal economic shifts while maintaining its cultural and racial identity. This trend raises questions about the long-term sustainability of the neighborhood's demographic composition and the potential for future changes as economic conditions continue to evolve.
