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Mobile, Alabama: A Black Majority City with Changing Economic Trends
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Mobile, Alabama's demographic profile in 2022 classifies it as a "Black Majority" community. The city's population is 52% Black, meeting the threshold for this classification. Mobile's median income in 2022 was $50,051, showing an increase from previous years.
Mobile has maintained its "Black Majority" status over the past decade, with the Black population consistently representing approximately 52% of the total. The white population, at 41%, forms a significant minority. The racial composition has remained relatively static from 2017 to 2022.
The median income in Mobile has increased from $36,150 in 2013 to $50,051 in 2022, a rise of about 38%. This economic growth has occurred alongside a gradual population decline, from 195,249 in 2010 to 183,282 in 2022. The inverse relationship between population decrease and income increase may indicate a shift in the city's economic base or the outmigration of lower-income residents.
The increase in median income in Mobile aligns with broader national trends of economic recovery and growth in the post-2008 recession era. However, the population decline contrasts with the growth seen in many urban areas across the U.S. during this period.
Mobile is likely to maintain its "Black Majority" status in the near future, given the stability of its racial composition over the past decade. The continuing increase in median income, if sustained, could lead to further gentrification and potentially shift the city towards a "Moderate Diversity" category.
The steady population decline, if continued, might impact the city's economic trajectory. However, if the rising median income trend persists, it could attract new residents and potentially reverse the population decline.
Mobile presents a picture of a stable racial majority with improving economic conditions, but facing challenges in population retention. The city's future may depend on its ability to leverage its economic growth to attract and retain a diverse population, potentially transitioning towards a more economically and racially diverse community in the coming years.
