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West Chatham: A Predominantly Black Neighborhood with Emerging Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
West Chatham, a neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois, exhibits a Low Diversity demographic profile with a Black Majority. As of 2022, the neighborhood's population is 4,935 with a median income of $48,323. West Chatham has historically been an important area for Black middle-class families in Chicago's South Side.
Over the past decade, West Chatham has maintained its status as a Black Majority neighborhood. From 2013 to 2022, the Black population remained dominant, decreasing slightly from 98% to 93%. There are signs of a slow transition towards slightly more diversity. The Hispanic and Asian populations both increased from 0% to 2% by 2022. The White population and those identifying as two or more races also saw slight increases, reaching 1% and 2% respectively by 2022.
The economic landscape of West Chatham has shown significant fluctuations over the past decade. The median income has increased from $31,234 in 2013 to $48,323 in 2022, representing a 54.7% increase. Despite the overall upward trend, there were periods of decline, particularly between 2019 and 2021. The 2022 data shows a rebound in median income, suggesting economic resilience in the community.
The population of West Chatham has fluctuated over the years. There was a decline from 5,432 in 2010 to 4,624 in 2016, followed by a gradual increase to 4,935 in 2022. Since 2019, the population has remained relatively stable around 4,900 residents.
West Chatham's demographic stability as a predominantly Black neighborhood is notable in the context of Chicago's changing demographics. While many historically Black neighborhoods in Chicago have experienced significant gentrification and demographic shifts, West Chatham has maintained its character while showing signs of gradual economic improvement.
The income growth in West Chatham is significant when compared to national trends. The median household income in the United States grew by about 10% between 2013 and 2022, adjusted for inflation. West Chatham's 54.7% growth over the same period outpaces this national trend significantly, indicating a more rapid economic improvement in this community.
Despite this growth, the median income in West Chatham ($48,323 in 2022) remains below the national median ($70,784 in 2021), highlighting ongoing economic challenges and opportunities for further development in the neighborhood.
West Chatham presents a picture of a stable, predominantly Black community that is experiencing gradual economic improvement and subtle demographic shifts. While maintaining its core identity, the neighborhood shows signs of slow diversification and economic resilience, positioning it for potential further growth and development in the coming years.
