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Hemphill Neighborhood: A Decade of Racial Demographic Shifts from Black to White Majority
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Hemphill, a neighborhood in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has undergone significant demographic changes over the past decade. As of 2022, the neighborhood is classified as a "White Majority" community, with the white population comprising 53% of residents. This represents a substantial shift from its status as a predominantly Black community a decade ago. The neighborhood has experienced various demographic categorizations during this period, including "Black Majority," "Moderate Diversity," and "Transitional Community."
The most notable demographic change occurred between 2020 and 2022. During this time, the Black population decreased from 42% to 30%, while the White population increased from 46% to 53%. This rapid transformation suggests a significant influx of White residents and/or outmigration of Black residents. Additionally, the percentage of residents identifying as two or more races increased from 1% in 2013 to 13% in 2022, indicating a trend towards greater racial mixing.
Concurrent with these demographic shifts, Hemphill has experienced fluctuations in median income. In 2013, the median income was $48,197, but it dropped to $40,159 by 2015. A gradual recovery followed, reaching $46,982 in 2019. However, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a sharp decline to $34,217 in 2021. The year 2022 saw a significant rebound to $45,909. These economic changes appear to correlate with the demographic shifts, potentially indicating gentrification processes.
The demographic changes in Hemphill reflect broader trends of gentrification observed in many urban areas across the United States. The rapid transition from a Black majority to a White majority neighborhood in less than a decade is particularly notable and may indicate significant local economic development initiatives or changes in housing policies. The fluctuations in median income, especially the sharp decline in 2021 and subsequent recovery in 2022, likely mirror national economic trends related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The increasing diversity, as evidenced by the growth in the multi-racial population, aligns with national trends of growing racial and ethnic diversity in urban areas. However, the speed of change in Hemphill appears to be more rapid than typical, suggesting that this neighborhood may be at the forefront of demographic shifts in the region. The transformation of Hemphill presents a case study of rapid demographic and economic change, transitioning from a Black majority community to a White majority one in just a decade, with significant income fluctuations along the way.
This transformation likely has implications for community dynamics, local businesses, and housing markets, and may be indicative of broader changes occurring in Chattanooga and similar mid-sized cities across the United States. The case of Hemphill provides valuable insights into the processes of urban demographic change and their potential economic correlates.
