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Demographic Transition in Howard Street: From Black Majority to Hispanic Plurality
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Howard Street neighborhood in Evanston, Illinois, currently exemplifies a Moderate Diversity community with a Hispanic Plurality. As of 2022, the neighborhood's population is 7,332, with a median income of $71,395. This area is near the Chicago border and contains a mix of residential areas and small businesses.
Over the past decade, Howard Street has undergone a demographic transformation. In 2013, the neighborhood was categorized as a Black Majority community, with 51% of the population identifying as Black. By 2022, it had transitioned to a Moderate Diversity community with a Hispanic Plurality. This shift is marked by a decline in Black population from 51% in 2013 to 33% in 2022, and a rise in Hispanic population from 7% in 2013 to 35% in 2022. Asian and White populations remained relatively stable.
The demographic shifts correlate with changes in median income. From 2013-2017, as the community transitioned from Black Majority to more diverse, median income generally decreased from $60,255 to $52,588. From 2018-2022, as Hispanic plurality emerged, median income rose from $56,155 to $71,395. Population growth has been steady throughout this period, increasing from 5,739 in 2013 to 7,332 in 2022.
The demographic shifts in Howard Street align with broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States, where traditionally African American neighborhoods are experiencing an influx of Hispanic residents. This trend is often associated with changing urban dynamics, including gentrification and shifting immigration patterns.
The economic uplift observed in recent years, coinciding with increased diversity, mirrors patterns seen in other diverse urban areas where multicultural communities often drive economic vitality through small businesses and cultural attractions.
The rapid nature of these changes in Howard Street – transitioning from a clear Black Majority to a Hispanic Plurality in just a decade – is more pronounced than in many comparable neighborhoods, suggesting unique local factors at play, such as targeted development initiatives or specific migration patterns in the Chicago metropolitan area.
This analysis highlights the dynamic nature of urban demographics and economics, showcasing how neighborhoods like Howard Street can undergo significant transformations in relatively short periods, reshaping their cultural and economic landscapes.
