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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Smoketown Jackson, a neighborhood in Louisville, Kentucky, exhibits characteristics of a Black Majority community with moderate economic growth. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a population of 2,237 with a median income of $38,769. This area is one of Louisville's oldest African American neighborhoods, with a history dating back to the post-Civil War era.
Over the past decade, Smoketown Jackson has maintained its status as a Black Majority community, but with shifts in its racial composition. In 2013, the neighborhood was categorized as Low Diversity, with the Black population comprising 80% of residents. By 2022, while still a Black Majority at 62%, the neighborhood has transitioned towards Moderate Diversity. The White population has increased from 15% in 2013 to 33% in 2022. This trend suggests a Transitional Community, with increasing diversity primarily driven by an influx of White residents. The Hispanic population emerged at 3% in 2022, further contributing to the diversification trend.
The demographic shifts correlate with economic changes in the neighborhood. The median income has increased from $19,110 in 2013 to $38,769 in 2022, suggesting economic growth. This increase in income coincides with the rising proportion of White residents and could indicate a pattern of gentrification. The population declined from 3,299 in 2010 to 1,691 in 2015, before rebounding to 2,237 in 2022. This U-shaped trend in population might reflect initial displacement followed by new residents moving in, aligning with the changing racial composition and rising incomes.
The trends observed in Smoketown Jackson mirror patterns of urban gentrification seen in many U.S. cities. The influx of White residents and rising incomes is a common phenomenon in historically Black neighborhoods near city centers. The persistence of a Black Majority despite these changes is notable and may reflect community ties or efforts to maintain the neighborhood's cultural identity.
Nationally, the median household income in 2022 was approximately $70,784, meaning that Smoketown Jackson's median income remains below the national average. This suggests that while gentrification may be occurring, the neighborhood still faces economic challenges compared to national standards.
The transition towards Moderate Diversity in Smoketown Jackson is part of a trend of increasing racial diversity in American urban areas. The rapid growth in the White population stands out as potentially faster than national averages for similar neighborhoods.
Smoketown Jackson is undergoing a transformation, balancing its historical identity as a Black Majority community with emerging diversity and economic growth. These changes present opportunities and challenges for residents as the neighborhood navigates its evolving identity in the context of broader urban demographic shifts.