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Demographic Transition and Racial Composition in North Jonesboro, Arkansas
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
North Jonesboro, a neighborhood in Jonesboro, Arkansas, exhibits characteristics of a Black Majority community with a median income of $23,465 as of 2022. This area has undergone demographic changes over the past decade, transitioning from a more diverse community to one with a clear racial majority. North Jonesboro is known for its historical significance in the civil rights movement and its proximity to Arkansas State University.
In 2013, North Jonesboro was categorized as a Moderate Diversity community, with Black residents comprising 44% of the population and White residents at 31%. Over the next few years, the neighborhood maintained this Moderate Diversity status, with a relatively balanced representation of Black and White residents, each group ranging from 33-38% of the population.
A significant shift occurred around 2020, when the Black population increased to 58%, transforming North Jonesboro into a Black Majority community. This transition has been maintained through 2022, with Black residents representing 57% of the population. This shift appears to have been sudden rather than gradual, suggesting a potential trigger event or policy change that influenced residential patterns.
The median income in North Jonesboro has fluctuated over the past decade. In 2013, the median income was $23,389, which is similar to the 2022 figure of $23,465. There were variations in between, including a peak of $31,861 in 2016, coinciding with the period of greatest racial balance in the community. A decline to $24,136 occurred in 2020, corresponding with the shift to a Black Majority community. A recovery to $29,127 was observed in 2021, followed by another decline in 2022.
The transition of North Jonesboro to a Black Majority community is part of a broader trend seen in some urban areas across the United States, where historically diverse or white-majority neighborhoods have experienced demographic shifts. This could be due to factors such as changing housing policies, economic opportunities, or cultural preferences.
The economic volatility experienced in North Jonesboro, particularly the decline in median income in 2020, likely reflects the broader economic challenges faced nationwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The neighborhood's median income remains below the national median, which was around $67,521 in 2020, indicating persistent economic challenges in this community.
The population of North Jonesboro has remained relatively stable over the decade, ranging from about 4,200 to 5,300 residents. This stability in population size, coupled with significant demographic shifts, suggests that changes in racial composition are more likely due to migration patterns within the city or region rather than large-scale population growth or decline.
North Jonesboro has undergone a transition from a Moderate Diversity community to a Black Majority neighborhood over the past decade. This shift has been accompanied by economic fluctuations, with the community facing ongoing economic challenges. Understanding these trends is crucial for local policymakers and community leaders as they work to address issues of equity, economic development, and community cohesion in North Jonesboro.
