Nashvillians, what do you think about Nashville's african american population. (Germantown: for sale, renting)

[oakland2nashville]

I was cruising Lischey ave today for the first time in about two years. ( I made a wrong turn off of Gallatin Pike but I used to live in Mcferrin Park so I know my way through there) The area had totally changed. It is very nice. Everything is remodled. But another thing that caught my eye is, the white population. I saw more whites than blacks, which was surprising considering that that area used to be like 85% black. I am aware of the decreasing black population all over East Nashville. Also, with German/salem town becoming white, hope gardens, and even lower Buena Vista, (The area around the Cheatham Pl projects) what do you guys think about the black population? Has it decreased that much? Or, is it migrating to other parts of town. I now live in Antioch so I do not get to go around these areas that much. If Nashville's black population has indeed decreased, is it a major or minor decrease. Another question I have is about the Nations area of West Nashville. I have a cousin (single, out of the Bronx, black, female) who just got a great deal there and is strongly considering the area. My question is how strong is the black presence there. Is the Nations area predominantly black? Is the black population there strong? Increasing/Decreasing? Have you guys seen any blacks over there? Are blacks overall decreasing in Nashville, or increasing? If they are increasing, what parts of town are they migrating too, because they are leaving East and North Nashville.

Thanks

[goodman2]

That question is very interesting indeed but I am happy for East and especially Northeast Nashville zip code 37207 to finally grow more racially diverse. Answering this question seems too hard for me to properly answer so my only guess would be all throughout the city of Nashville scattered in various areas or perhaps Antioch and maybee Madison.

[sek1986]

I believe the Nations, and west Nashville in general, is predominantly white. I think at one time, the Nations area was made up of whites and other ethnicities, but not many blacks. Regardless, if an area is "mostly white," I don't think that means a black person won't be welcomed. That area, as well as all others you mentiond, are urban and very diverse.

[oakland2nashville]

Anybody else? I am more concerned about the area above the freeway closer to the river and North Nashville. Also has the black population been increasing or decreasing? If it has been increasing, what part of town has it been migrating to?

[goodman2]

I am guessing you mean Bordeaux zip code 37218 that is above the freeway closer to the river and North Central Nashville zip code 37208 where Jefferson Street is at that you mention.I don't think anyone will know about a increase or decrease until the 2010 census comes out but if anyone is migrating anywhere it would have to be Antioch to my best guess since that is what everyone keeps talking about.

[oakland2nashville]

No, not really. I am talking about West Nashville just West of the Preston Taylor housing projects off of 40th and Clifton, above the freeway.

[goodman2]

West Nashville zip code 37209 is a likeable area and I have been to the Nashville West Shopping Center before and I liked it very much now as for housing in the area as you speak of I really wouldn't know much about that since I live in East Nashville but I do know there is many nice neighborhhods there for everyone.

[Hey_Hey]

Here is a good map from the NYT that shows the population change and racial change from 2000-2010. http://projects.nytimes.com/census/2010/map

Interestingly, much of East Nashville as well as other urban core neighborhoods made up of primarily single family housing (12South, Edgehill, Sylvan Park, Belmont-Hillsboro, etc) have lost population. That's interesting because housing construction has been happening at a rapid clip. I think what was happening (and living in one of these neighborhoods I can testify to it) was that a lot of the single family houses had 4-6 people renting. As property values have gone up those houses have been bought and renovated and now have 2-4 people living in them as more owner occupied housing. Those areas have generally become whiter as well.

Here are some highlights (these are actually census tracts, so they don't match up perfectly with neighborhood lines:

East Nashville Neighborhoods:
Lockeland Springs (census tract 121): 86% white (+1% from 2000), 7% black (-62% from 2000)
Lockeland Springs/Shelby Heights (tract 122): 77% white (-10%), 16% black (-41%)
Edgefield (census tract 192): 58% white (+2%), 35% black (-5%)
5 Points West of Gallatin (census tract 119): 22% white (+115%), 66% black (-20%)
Cleveland Park/McFerrin Park (census tract 118): 14% white (+51%), 82% black (-40%)

Midtown/West Nashville:
Edgehill west of 12th (census tract 163): 35% white (+82%), 60% black (-31%)
Edgehill east of 12th (census tract 162): 23% white (+55%), 69% (-15%)
Southern 12South (census tract 171): 64% white (+114), 30% black (-66%)
Northern 12South (census tract 17): 73% white (+108%), 22% black (-47%)
Germantown/Salemtown (census tract 194): 37% white (+168%), 58% black (-8%)

Much of North Nashville is still predominantly black, but the numbers are decreasing to a small to moderate degree. Meanwhile, the black population in Antioch, LaVergne is surging. Census tract 40103 has seen the black population surge 1,285% and is now 37% of the population. Tract 1563's black population grew by 946% and is now 52% of total population there. However, what isn't happening in the Antioch/Smyrna area is white flight. White absolute numbers are increasing as well, just not to the degree that the black population is (and to a lesser degree hispanic population). Southeast Nashville is truly becoming a multi-ethnic neighborhood. The Madison area has also trended to a higher black population, but as opposed to Southeast Nashville there has been white flight as well.

I would also note that the percentages for all of these areas has likely accelerated since 2010 as well. Movement, gentrification, and construction have boomed in the last 3 years across the city but most concentrated in the Southeast and urban core.

[Shakeesha]

Antioch and Lavergne are attractive because they allow you to live close to the city without paying city prices. Many of the same style condos and town homes in these areas are much lower. This is the hot growth area, as Lavergne continues to sprawl out and developers take notice of Antioch's renaissance. Crime is still an issue, but it's more of a common sense type thing. Antioch is refreshingly diverse, has attracted new jobs from HCA, Asurion, and a brand new hockey center. Hickory Hollow Mall is up for sale [again], so hopefully the growth and reinvestment will continue.