NYC's African-American Population Declines

A report released today by the U.S. Census Bureau shows that the minority population has changed significantly in the past seven years. While the overall population of the city has increased about 200,000 between 2000 and 2006, the African-American population is actually on the decline. The city's black population dropped more than 40,000 during the period while the Hispanic and Asian population both increased more than 90,000 during the same period.

According to The Sun, public officials and demographers attribute the decline in black residents to increased housing costs, changing patterns in immigration, and black families moving to the South. The same Census report shows that the New York metropolitan region (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut) lost nearly 250,000 white residents and that The Bronx lost almost 11% of its white population while Manhattan's white population increased almost 9%. Since 2005, Asians have been the only minority group with increases in population in every county in the metropolitan area. The numbers of blacks declined in all five boroughs, except Staten Island, and the Hispanic population increased in Queens, Staten Island and The Bronx.

Overall, from 2000-2006, the minority population in the metropolitan area increased in every county except three (Orleans County in Upstate NY, New York County, and Kings County). During those years, the minority population in Manhattan decreased 1.5%, Brooklyn decreased 0.2%, Queens increased 3%, The Bronx increased 2%, and Staten Island increased 4.8%.

Photo by U.S. Census Bureau

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By tien mao in News on August 9, 2007 2:35 PM

Comments [rss]

donewithny

wow,did not know the prison population increased by 40,000.

guest

#4, a "PC response" is a false dichotomy compared to "typical racist Gothamist reader comments".

Actually, that is the only dichotomy. You're either racist or you're PC-whipped, brainwashed, and without an original thought in your entire life.

guest

Interesting ! I hadn't noticed minorities were on the decline . Could be because NY is just getting to damn expensive ! Hmmmm. interesting . Posted by; "Still Not Amused"

guest

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Co-Sign

JRod5417

Nice post Toby!

guest

Ah. Still no explanation on the "co-sign" question in #37, but the second, equally vague utterance of it in #42 above perhaps gives at least some context.

I guess anywhere you see someone mention "co-sign" is a call for the community to ban whatever media where the word "co-sign" is suggested by someone, due to racism or whatever.

Is that somewhat accurate?

Folks that mention it seem to be keeping it as their own secret code word, but in my opinion it's probably more effective to educate and give some explanation.

Otherwise, you might as well just say toepick.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/pi_icons/icons/kate_toepick1.png

guest

#1 - co-sign.

As soon as I saw the headline I sighed. So I guess Gothamist can consider its Black (graduate-educated and home and computer-owning) readership decreased by one because honestly the new element on these boards adds nothing to the dialogue and it's just plain sad. Peace, out.

I co-sign with you "Oh Please".

I am a Black, NYU-educated home and computer owner that will never visit Gothamist again after today.

I had no idea they were so racist here.

guest

Aaaand...scene!

guest

The black population increased in many suburban areas like long island, New Jersey, and parts of Pennsylvania within commuting distance of manhattan.

guest

Okay, #37 (perhaps aka "guru" on another site? no?)

What is this "co-sign" that is offered up as a single, mysterious refutation, without context or explanation?

guest

I am appalled by the attitudes that have surfaced on this forum. My son plays for a traveling baseball team and the team's makeup reflects the diversity which is this city's greatest strength. His best friend is black and hispanic and he outshines many of the others on the team that show how stupid white spoiled brats can be. This goes both ways, for his team has played teams that are made up entirely of minority players and they suffer from a ghetto mentality and that all white kids are rich and go to private schools if they live in Manhattan.

And at the same time I find it somewhat shocking when the team goes away from the city and people from other areas are amazed how the team is so well behaved and get along with each other. Are these people nuts? How do these people expect to cope with life in the future. There's not that many places for them to hide.

ohplease

#1 - co-sign.

As soon as I saw the headline I sighed. So I guess Gothamist can consider its Black (graduate-educated and home and computer-owning) readership decreased by one because honestly the new element on these boards adds nothing to the dialogue and it's just plain sad. Peace, out.

guest

Wow,

You people really are racist jerks. My husband and I are both black and we just moved to NYC (Manhattan) and bought an apartment here last year. And we know plenty of well educated, employed black people--and know no "hoodlums" or people on welfare.

guest

Oh my God: I *love* gothamist readers!

It's like an online Klan rally, and you save on robes!

Toby von Meistersinger

The whole "race" thing in the census is absurd. Just ask those who are more than one of the "race" categories. There is only one race, and that is the human race.

guest

from the gothamist post:

The numbers of blacks declined in all five boroughs, except Staten Island

erm... is there an editor in the house?

guest

Afterall, one can discuss the changing demographics of the region without being racist or PC.

Only in theory because the liberal PC thought police don't want to hear it. They only want to hear what can be done to reverse this trend. The status quo must be defended at all costs. Anything else is "racist".

Elderta

Haha, you may be right!

About the picture, I thought that too... until I realized that the guy has a census tabulation book in his hands...

guest

I believe that some of you are mis-guided. I just read an article today that stated that Blacks and Latinos have continued to have children. While white people have continued to slow down the number of children per family. Therefore, in several counties in America, white people have become a minority. Just because they have increased 9% in NYC means nothing. I believe they may be out populated by hispanic and latinos. Check out the Bronx which is big and has the largest Hispanic populaiton in New York.

Also, subprime mortgages are up. That is not to say that blacks are the only recipients of them. We know that many people who are new to the country with no credit history are eligible for loans. Subprime mortgages are the reason the DOW is up in arms. This means that blacks are probably buying homes where they can afford them. You get more "house" for your money in the south. Also "if" you have a good job in the south with a two family income, and sometimes children contributing also, then the south is the smartest place to live economically. Blacks are smart to leave the cities. Blacks are capitalizing. Probably for the first time in history.

guest

Demographics are constantly changing here and while the Sun article attributes to higher housing costs, I just think that Blacks, as well as any ethnicity, are just moving out of the poor neighborhoods. Seeking something with good schools, more family oriented.

guest

lol half priced out

guest

It's a cheap shot to use a hokey picture of a white family for this article. The city has gotten less white too.

guest

Elderta, you are only getting 1/2 priced out.

guest

With the crime rate down the way it is, there's nothing left for them here any more. The dream of an ungovernable city dominated by criminals is gone.

Elderta

edEX, I am 1/2 black and have both an NYU education and a job, and I am still getting priced out.

guest

damn, you white have hate coming out of your pores.

Why so confrontational? Is your life that bad?

tien

#13 - probably because the link you supplied is not the actual report and it says nothing about new york?

ed_Extinct

and my comment was directed soley at the black pop... whites, asians, indians, people who sit on their asses and expect a government check for doing nothing...

ed_Extinct

priced out? perhaps getting an education and job is something to think about.

guest

How about a link to the actual report issued by the Census? (hint: http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/010482.html)

TN

We're all racists to a certain extent. Most of us just keep it to ourselves or show it in subtle ways. At least that's what sociologists have discovered. Now as for the topic, NYC is just getting too damn expensive for blacks (and others) to continue living here. That's the truth.

Reality Czech

The goal of the US government, and the only thing which keeps this economy afloat, is population growth. Population growth keeps things growing - more jobs (even if for less wages), more housing, etc.

So keep the peopel flowing into America however you can beit it by giving birth, by legal or immigration. That is the plan.

Sad.

Elderta

Walk away, Guest #4, just walk away. Zodak has grabbed you by the... uh... well, you know where... and yanked.

guest

#4, a "PC response" is a false dichotomy compared to "typical racist Gothamist reader comments".

Afterall, one can discuss the changing demographics of the region without being racist or PC.

zodak

#4, nice reference to mccain's aide, well done.

on a serious note, these trends will continue as people r just priced out of ny.

guest

begin typical racist Gothamist reader comments......NOW!

Anything short of getting on your knees and fellating the black community is considered racist around here. Please tell us what the PC response to this should be.