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Demographic Transition and Racial Composition in Grace Avenue-Northills, Hattiesburg: A Study of Black Majority Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Grace Avenue-Northills neighborhood in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, currently exhibits a Low Diversity demographic profile with a Black Majority. As of 2022, the Black population constitutes 81% of the neighborhood, while the White population represents 15%. The median income in 2022 was $30,542, which is below the national median household income. This neighborhood is part of Hattiesburg, home to the University of Southern Mississippi, which likely influences the local economy and demographics.
Over the past decade, Grace Avenue-Northills has undergone a significant demographic transition. In 2013, the neighborhood had Moderate Diversity, with a Black Plurality (68%) and a significant White population (22%). By 2017, it had shifted to a Black Majority (73%), and this trend continued. By 2020, the neighborhood had established itself in the Low Diversity category with a Black Majority (84%).
This shift appears to have been driven by both an increase in the Black population percentage and a decrease in the White population percentage. The Hispanic population, while small, has shown a slight increase over time, potentially indicating the beginnings of a Transitional Community in terms of ethnic diversity.
The median income in the neighborhood has shown an upward trend over the past decade, increasing from $21,443 in 2013 to $30,542 in 2022. This represents a 42% increase. This growth has not been consistent year-over-year, with some fluctuations observed.
The strengthening of the Black Majority coincided with this overall increase in median income. This could suggest that as the neighborhood became more homogeneous in terms of racial composition, there may have been economic improvements for the predominant demographic group.
The population of the neighborhood has remained relatively stable over the decade, with some fluctuations. It decreased from 1,442 in 2013 to a low of 1,258 in 2018, but has since rebounded to 1,569 in 2022. This recent population growth, coupled with rising median incomes, might indicate an increasing attractiveness of the neighborhood.
The trend in Grace Avenue-Northills towards increasing racial homogeneity is somewhat counter to national trends in many urban areas, which have generally been moving towards greater diversity. However, the economic improvement seen in the neighborhood aligns with broader national trends of economic recovery and growth following the 2008 recession.
The median income, while growing, remains below national averages, which is consistent with many areas in Mississippi, which has historically been one of the lowest-income states in the U.S. The neighborhood's proximity to a university town might explain some of the population fluctuations, as student populations can be transient.
Grace Avenue-Northills has evolved over the past decade from a moderately diverse neighborhood to one with low diversity and a strong Black Majority. This demographic shift has been accompanied by modest economic improvements, though the area still faces economic challenges compared to national averages. The neighborhood's evolution reflects complex interplays between racial demographics, economic factors, and possibly local institutions like the nearby university.
