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London Towne, Chicago: A Predominantly Black Neighborhood with Economic Growth
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
London Towne, a neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois, exhibits a Low Diversity demographic profile with a predominantly Black population. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a population of 163 and a median income of $54,862. London Towne is one of the smallest neighborhoods in Chicago, with only an estimated 62 housing units.
From 2013 to 2022, London Towne has consistently maintained its status as a Low Diversity community. The Black population has consistently comprised 94-100% of the total. There have been no significant transitions between diversity categories over this period. The neighborhood has remained almost exclusively Black, with only a small percentage (1% or less) of White residents in some years.
London Towne has experienced notable economic changes despite the stable racial composition. The median income has shown significant growth, rising from $42,802 in 2013 to $54,862 in 2022, representing a 28% increase over the decade. The population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 156 and 172 residents throughout the period. This stability in population, combined with the rising median income, suggests a gradual economic improvement for the existing residents rather than an influx of new, higher-income residents.
The median income peaked at $60,416 in 2021 before declining to $54,862 in 2022. This recent decline could be indicative of broader economic challenges affecting the community.
The persistent Low Diversity profile of London Towne is notable in the context of Chicago, which is known for its diverse neighborhoods. While many areas of Chicago have experienced gentrification and demographic shifts, London Towne appears to have maintained its racial homogeneity.
The economic improvements seen in London Towne, particularly the 28% increase in median income from 2013 to 2022, are significant. This growth outpaces the national median household income growth, which was approximately 18% over a similar period (2013-2021, based on available data). London Towne's median income in 2022 ($54,862) falls below the national median household income, which was around $70,784 in 2021.
The stability in population coupled with rising incomes suggests that London Towne may be experiencing "in-place" economic improvement, where existing residents see their economic situations improve without significant demographic turnover. This contrasts with gentrification patterns seen in other urban neighborhoods where rising incomes are often accompanied by demographic changes.
London Towne presents a case of a small, racially homogeneous neighborhood that has maintained its demographic character while experiencing notable economic improvements. The community's ability to achieve economic growth without significant population change or racial diversification sets it apart from many urban neighborhood trends and warrants further study to understand the factors contributing to this stability and growth.
