Which Northeast city would be best for a black middle class family? (living, cost)
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I think when you look at cities/metros with the wealthiest/most middle income black communities they all have benefited from groups of black people and governments being intentional in investing in the black community. Look at a place like Chicago which used to be a premier city for black businesses and the middle class; folks are choosing to leave the city/metro despite its affordability. This is obviously a oversimplification but just food for thought.
To be fair, even in the Atlanta and DC areas, much/most of their middle to upper class is in the suburbs as well. So, in that regard, they aren’t that much different. The difference is the political power, which in turn spurred economic empowerment. Think Maynard Jackson in Atlanta and Marion Barry in DC.
As for the Northeast, some cities could be set up to do something similar, but it may be a matter of executing plans similar to what those 2 had. There are multiple cities that come to mind and that could really use intentional ideas/plans to increase the black middle class and up presence in said cities.
From what I see there is a lot more cohesiveness unity, as well as tradition and structure in Baltimore and points south, compared to the Northeast.... where black folks seem more individualistic and less community-oriented. Less social cohesion leads to fewer social more leads to less political/social capital (cultural capital is different).
Additionally without ethnic whites having had monopolized certain city departments/trades/professions black people who moved from the rural South to the urban south were more easily able to gain a foothold in those positions and industries.
Add to this southern white seem to put less of a premium historically on living in urban spaces. They value a more exurban/rural life opening the doors for blacks to shape the culture in the cities. In the North, this happened from 1970-2000 a window when urban black culture was at its peak, and it grew and flourished. But in the grand scheme of things-aside from that window of time- the white population of the north has always had more of a vested interest in controlling and having a presence in its cities relative to the south who still kind of look down on it with that soft/city slicker/immoral view of cities.
Last edited by BostonBornMassMade; 04-06-2022 at 09:56 AM..
From what I see there is a lot more cohesiveness unity, as well as tradition and structure in Baltimore and points south, compared to the Northeast.... where black folks seem more individualistic and less community-oriented. Less social cohesion leads to fewer social more leads to less political/social capital (cultural capital is different).
Additionally without ethnic whites having had monopolized certain city departments/trades/professions black people who moved from the rural South to the urban south were more easily able to gain a foothold in those positions and industries.
Add to this southern white seem to put less of a premium historically on living in urban spaces. They value a more exurban/rural life opening the doors for blacks to shape the culture in the cities. In the North, this happened from 1970-2000 a window when urban black culture was at its peak, and it grew and flourished. But in the grand scheme of things-aside from that window of time- the white population of the north has always had more of a vested interest in controlling and having a presence in its cities relative to the south who still kind of look down on it with that soft/city slicker/immoral viewpoint of cities.
Great points, as I think the ethnic aspect of Northern cities plays a part in this, as some aspects on Northern cities can be monopolized by certain ethnic groups in a way that isn't seen in the "New" South.
I also think that their function as being entry points into the country for many immigrants/refugees plays a part in the difference as well.
You do have to consider that there are also white migrants to the South that may change the dynamics of those cities. Just ask people in Charleston SC, which isn't even 20% black now: https://s4.ad.brown.edu/projects/div...cityid=4513330 So, even in Southern cities, things are changing in that regard. Annexation also plays a part in the change in demographics in some Southern cities.
With that said, I also think that in the Northeast, you still have smaller cities like Mount Vernon NY and East Orange NJ that are predominantly black and could offer the things that black people that want an urban environment, if they implement and execute a comprehensive plan that would attract that market. Mount Vernon info: https://s4.ad.brown.edu/projects/div...cityid=3649121 https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mt...!4d-73.8370786
I also think the mid sized cities in the region have that opportunity as well for at least portions of those cities due to their affordability, demographics and "bones".
Great points, as I think the ethnic aspect of Northern cities plays a part in this, as some aspects on Northern cities can be monopolized by certain ethnic groups in a way that isn't seen in the "New" South.
I also think that their function as being entry points into the country for many immigrants/refugees plays a part in the difference as well.
You do have to consider that there are also white migrants to the South that may change the dynamics of those cities. Just ask people in Charleston SC, which isn't even 20% black now: https://s4.ad.brown.edu/projects/div...cityid=4513330 So, even in Southern cities, things are changing in that regard. Annexation also plays a part in the change in demographics in some Southern cities.
With that said, I also think that in the Northeast, you still have smaller cities like Mount Vernon NY and East Orange NJ that are predominantly black and could offer the things that black people that want an urban environment, if they implement and execute a comprehensive plan that would attract that market. Mount Vernon info: https://s4.ad.brown.edu/projects/div...cityid=3649121 https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mt...!4d-73.8370786
I also think the mid-sized cities in the region have that opportunity as well for at least portions of those cities due to their affordability, demographics and "bones".
Yea the South sees White in-migration but Black Americans seem pretty comfortable with them, at least the ones who choose to move south. More comfortable with White Americans and have more in common with White Americans than with immigrants. I am very much on the opposite end of this..as are most blacks who remain in the North.
On the whole Charleston, Mount Vernon, and East Orange are outliers in their respective regions.
The mid-size cities offer the st option for palatable black urbanity and growth at this point. Places in CT, Upstate NY, MA, and to a lesser extent PA cities and NJ cities (black people there seem to prefer the suburbs at this point/ NJ cities are pretty 'harsh')
Yea the South sees White in-migration but Black Americans seem pretty comfortable with them, at least the ones who choose to move south. More comfortable with White Americans and have more in common with White Americans than with immigrants. I am very much on the opposite end of this..as are most blacks who remain in the North.
On the whole Charleston, Mount Vernon, and East Orange are outliers in their respective regions.
The mid-size cities offer the st option for palatable black urbanity and growth at this point. Places in CT, Upstate NY, MA, and to a lesser extent PA cities and NJ cities (black people there seem to prefer the suburbs at this point/ NJ cities are pretty 'harsh')
I think you are right, given the continued growth in many cities among those states. It will be interesting to see if it continues.
I'm also very interested in terms of the 4 bigger Upstate NY cities, as black people are clearly #1 or 2 in population in all of them and there is enough representation to where you can't overlook the community. Same goes for cities in PA, where in some cases, the black population is the biggest group(Philadelphia and Harrisburg). This may be the reason people that voted in the poll picked Philadelphia as well given the demographics, size and relative affordability.
So, some of these other cities could be places to look into for those looking for a stronger and in some cases growing presence.
I will also say that so far(key words), from the median family income information I've come across, only Syracuse has a predominantly black census tract with a 6 figure median black family income for cities not on the list and/or away from the Bos-Wash corridor. So, something like that could appeal to some associated with the thread.
Some information from Interior Northeastern cities
Here are some census tract that are either predominantly black and relatively middle class in family income or have a substantial black population with a 6 figure family income. This will strictly be within city limits.
Here are some census tract that are either predominantly black and relatively middle class in family income or have a substantial black population with a 6 figure family income. This will strictly be within city limits.
Last edited by ckhthankgod; 04-12-2022 at 01:07 PM..
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Some information from Interior Northeastern cities
