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Istrouma Neighborhood Study: Racial Composition and Economic Trends
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Istrouma neighborhood in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, presents a case of a Low Diversity community with a Black Racial Majority. As of 2022, the neighborhood population was 96% Black, indicating a homogeneous racial composition. The median income in 2022 was $25,244. Istrouma is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Baton Rouge, with its name derived from a Native American word meaning "red stick," which also gave Baton Rouge its name.
From 2013 to 2022, Istrouma maintained its status as a Low Diversity community with a Black Racial Majority. The Black population remained above 95% during this period, showing minimal fluctuation. This stability in racial composition suggests entrenched community patterns and limited influx of other racial groups. The neighborhood did not transition between diversity categories during this period.
Economically, Istrouma experienced notable shifts. The median income increased from $18,151 in 2013 to $25,244 in 2022, representing a 39% increase over nine years. This economic improvement occurred alongside a population decline, from 4,695 in 2013 to 3,152 in 2022, a decrease of about 33%. The inverse relationship between rising incomes and declining population suggests a complex socio-economic dynamic.
The persistent low diversity and high racial concentration in Istrouma contrast with national trends towards increasing diversity in urban areas. Many U.S. cities have seen growing minority populations and transitions towards Majority-Minority or High Diversity status over the past decade. Istrouma's stable racial composition amidst these broader trends suggests local factors strongly influencing neighborhood demographics.
The economic improvements in Istrouma, while positive, still leave the neighborhood below the national median household income, which was around $70,784 in 2021. This indicates that despite progress, Istrouma continues to face economic challenges compared to national averages.
The population decline in Istrouma contrasts with the general trend of urban population growth seen in many U.S. cities over the past decade. This could reflect broader issues affecting Baton Rouge or specific challenges within the Istrouma neighborhood that are prompting outmigration.
Istrouma has maintained its status as a Low Diversity, Black Majority community over the past decade, while experiencing economic improvements and population decline. These trends suggest a neighborhood in transition, facing both opportunities for economic growth and challenges in retaining its population base. The stability in racial composition, coupled with economic and population changes, presents a case study in urban demographics and economics, highlighting the interplay between racial, economic, and population dynamics in American neighborhoods.
