Austin is the only city in the nation with..... (Houston: 2014, homes)

[355spider]

Double digit growth but a falling black population. Heard this on the radio this morning. Pretty surprising. The said it was because the city segregated all black people to East Austin in the late 20s and now that same area is gentrifying.

[centralaustinite]

Heard that too! If you have ever read the 1928 plan that formalized the segregation of the city, it is sobering.

If you include Pf-ville, RR, Cedar Park then the greater Austin area has a very small net gain of African Americans but still smaller than you would expect given the area's growth.

[riaelise]

As far as I know, Hispanics have always been the dominant minority group in Austin whereas in Houston and Dallas, the AA population is higher and isn't decreasing. Many AAs tend to prefer Houston or Dallas.

As far as East Austin is concerned, many working and middle classed AAs sold their homes and moved to the suburbs in search of better schools and affordability. There is a sizable population in RRE and Pflugerville (10-13%), as well as North Austin, though again Hispanics are the dominant minority group. Interestingly, I don't really see this declining black population because I see Black people everywhere I go.

[10scoachrick]

And the imaginary line outside my door...separating Austin and Cedar Park...makes a world of difference in the stats presented, yet doesn't mean a thing in the real world.

[MiaMia411]

Another race thread ? Seriously, last time I checked the year was 2014 and people have the option to live anywhere they want as long as they can afford it. What you can afford is however much you make and spend.

[mark311]

These types of stats are not unique to Austin. Having grown up in San Diego, I know that it had the same type of segregation. I would assume again that this was a United States issue and not just a local one as I can't imagine it just being Austin and San Diego. I'm sure you could find all types of articles like the one linked below about cities in the Southwest.

How Segregation Defined San Diego’s Neighborhoods | Voice of San Diego

[riaelise]

I also think a lot of people self-segregate. That's what I observed in NYC.

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by 355spider

Double digit growth but a falling black population. Heard this on the radio this morning. Pretty surprising. The said it was because the city segregated all black people to East Austin in the late 20s and now that same area is gentrifying.

it just means other groups are growing faster. Asians have increased substantially. It doesnt mean the black population is falling, just not growing as fast. Hispanics and asians are growing as a percentage. This is a meaningless stat unless you feel like asians and hispanics should stay the same percentage of the population as 30 years ago.

[tampac66]

Originally Posted by riaelise

I also think a lot of people self-segregate. That's what I observed in NYC.

I think a lot of is is about socio-economics, but you're right, people also feel more comfortable living in areas with similar people.

I think racism is fading quickly with each new generation. We probably wouldn't see race nearly as much as we do (as a society) if the media and the government didn't constantly draw undue attention to it.

[ppp38]

Only people fortunate enough to not have to experience racism believe that it is fading away.

I'm not surprised that the AA population is declining in this city given the rapid gentrification of East Austin. Additionally, this city is not exactly welcoming to the black tourists that come here in droves during Relays so I can't imagine many wanting to move here over Houston, Dallas and even San Antonio.