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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Alton Park, a neighborhood in Chattanooga, Tennessee, exhibits a demographic profile characterized as a Black Majority community with Low Diversity. As of 2022, the neighborhood had a population of 674 with a median income of $21,842. Alton Park has historically been an industrial area, connected to Chattanooga's manufacturing past, which likely influences its current socioeconomic landscape.
Over the past decade, Alton Park has undergone demographic changes. From 2013 to 2020, the neighborhood maintained its status as a Black Majority area, with the Black population comprising over 85% of residents. Since 2021, there has been a shift towards increased diversity, though still remaining within the Black Majority category. The percentage of Black residents decreased from 93% in 2020 to 75% in 2022, indicating a trend towards a more diverse racial composition. This change is accompanied by increases in Hispanic, White, and multiracial populations.
The demographic changes in Alton Park correlate with economic trends. The median income has increased from $14,652 in 2013 to $21,842 in 2022, an improvement of nearly 50%. This economic growth coincides with the gradual diversification of the neighborhood's racial makeup. The population has fluctuated over the years, peaking at 815 in 2020 before declining to 674 in 2022. This population decrease, coupled with income growth and increased racial diversity, might suggest a pattern of gentrification or urban renewal efforts in the area.
The changes observed in Alton Park reflect broader trends seen in many urban areas across the United States. The gradual diversification of historically Black neighborhoods is a common phenomenon in many cities, often associated with economic development and changing urban demographics. The income growth in Alton Park, while significant, still places the neighborhood well below the median household income for Chattanooga as a whole, which was approximately $45,527 in 2021. This disparity highlights the ongoing economic challenges faced by this community despite recent improvements.
The emergence of a Hispanic population (11% in 2021, 8% in 2022) in Alton Park aligns with national trends of increasing Hispanic populations in urban areas, particularly in the Southeast. This shift could be indicative of changing labor markets or migration patterns in the broader Chattanooga region.
Alton Park is showing signs of transitioning from a highly homogeneous, low-income Black Majority neighborhood to a slightly more diverse and economically improved area. While still facing significant economic challenges, the neighborhood's evolving demographic and economic profile suggests it may be on the cusp of more substantial changes in the coming years. These trends warrant continued observation to understand their long-term impacts on community dynamics and local quality of life.