Loading Content...
Demographic Transition in Brainerd Park North: From Black Majority to Diverse Community
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Brainerd Park North in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has undergone a demographic transition from a Black Majority to a Black Plurality neighborhood over the past decade. As of 2022, the Black population represents 52% of the total, with significant increases in Hispanic (15%) and White (25%) populations. The median income in 2022 was $34,056, indicating a lower-income bracket compared to national averages. The neighborhood's proximity to Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport may influence its demographic and economic dynamics.
The neighborhood has transitioned from a Low Diversity community to a Transitional Community. In 2013, it had a Black Majority (75% of the population), but by 2022, this had shifted to a Black Plurality (52%). The Hispanic population showed substantial growth, increasing from 1% in 2017 to 20% in 2020. The White population steadily increased from 16% in 2013 to 25% in 2022. These changes indicate a trend towards Moderate Diversity.
The demographic shifts correlate with fluctuations in median income. From 2013 to 2022, the median income increased from $27,085 to $34,056, representing a 25.7% rise. The highest median income was recorded in 2021 at $41,188, coinciding with a more diverse racial makeup. Generally, as the community became more diverse, there was an upward trend in median income, despite some year-to-year fluctuations.
The population of Brainerd Park North decreased from 2,169 in 2013 to 1,785 in 2022. This population decline, coupled with increasing diversity and rising median income, might indicate a process of neighborhood change, possibly related to urban renewal or gentrification.
The demographic shifts observed in Brainerd Park North align with broader national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas. Many U.S. cities have experienced similar transitions from predominantly Black neighborhoods to more diverse communities, often accompanied by economic changes. The increase in the Hispanic population reflects a national trend of growing Hispanic communities in various parts of the country, including in the Southeast.
The median income growth in Brainerd Park North, while positive, still places the neighborhood below the national median household income (which was around $70,784 in 2021). This suggests that while the area is experiencing economic improvement, it still faces challenges in terms of overall economic prosperity compared to national averages.
Brainerd Park North exemplifies a Transitional Community, moving from Low Diversity to Moderate Diversity over the past decade. This demographic evolution, coupled with overall positive economic trends, suggests a neighborhood in flux, potentially influenced by broader urban development patterns in Chattanooga and regional demographic shifts.
