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Demographic Stability in Calumet Heights: A Study of a Predominantly Black Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Calumet Heights, a neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois, exhibits characteristics of a "Low Diversity" community with a "Black Majority" as of 2022. The neighborhood population is 95% Black, establishing it as a "Black Majority" area. The median income in Calumet Heights was $58,795 in 2022, categorizing it as a middle-income neighborhood within Chicago. Calumet Heights is recognized for its stable, middle-class African American community and has historically been one of the more affluent Black neighborhoods in Chicago.
From 2013 to 2022, Calumet Heights maintained its status as a "Low Diversity" neighborhood with a strong "Black Majority." The Black population remained stable, varying only between 94% and 95%. This consistency indicates a well-established African American community with minimal demographic change. The Hispanic population increased slightly from 3% to 4% during this period, but not sufficiently to alter the neighborhood's diversity classification.
The median income in Calumet Heights fluctuated over the past decade. It decreased from $61,837 in 2013 to $49,432 in 2018, then increased to $58,795 in 2022. This income trend coincides with a gradual decrease in population from 11,740 in 2013 to 10,658 in 2022. The initial income decline may have contributed to some resident departures, while the recent income recovery could be attracting new residents or improving the financial situation of long-term inhabitants.
The demographic stability in Calumet Heights, despite economic fluctuations, suggests a strong community attachment among Black residents, who have remained in the area through both economic downturns and upswings.
Calumet Heights' demographic stability contrasts with broader trends in many urban areas across the United States, where gentrification and changing housing patterns have led to increased racial mixing and displacement of established communities. The neighborhood's maintenance of its Black majority status while experiencing economic fluctuations is significant.
The recent increase in median income aligns with national trends of economic recovery post-2008 recession and the rebound following the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the neighborhood's consistent racial composition differentiates it from many other urban areas that have experienced increasing diversity over the same period.
Calumet Heights represents a case of a stable, predominantly Black middle-class neighborhood that has endured economic challenges while maintaining its demographic composition. This stability may provide insights into community resilience and the factors that contribute to the preservation of cultural enclaves within larger urban environments.
