Spatial Patterns of African-American Population and Movement in Chicagoland

Although world’s and US’s population are steadily growing, Chicagoland’s is population is either growing slowly or negatively and African Americans are leading this sluggish or diminishing trend. This study used census data to investigate spatial-resolved African American population movement at the scale of census tract. Accordingly, significant settlement patterns and movement were discovered, such that 48% of the city’s community areas and 21% of Suburban municipalities have shown a cluster of high percent African American population. On the other hand, significant clustering (i.e., p > 0.05) of lower African American population was detected in 39% community areas and 51% of the suburban municipalities. Additionally, the 2010 population patterns have shown changes from the 1990s, such that net loss was observed in 51% of the city’s community areas, and net gains in 75% of the suburban municipalities (i.e., p > 0.05); indicating a clear African Americans’ urban-to-suburban movement.