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They call it the Black Flight.
Big cities around the US are losing their Black population in mass. Can you guess why?
Why Chicago is so Segregated: https://youtu.be/liQhU6xx_V0
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0:00
Where you live, is the black population
0:02
increasing, decreasing, or staying about
0:04
the same? Over the past few decades,
0:07
several US cities have experienced
0:09
notable declines in their black
0:10
population. This trend reflects a
0:12
complex interplay of historical events,
0:15
economic shifts, and social dynamics. If
0:18
you live in the six major cities that
0:20
we'll be talking about today, you might
0:21
have noticed a major decline in the
0:23
black populations. But why? In this
0:26
episode, we'll explore their histories,
0:28
the evolution of their black
0:29
communities, and the current challenges
0:31
related to housing, employment, and
0:33
overall living conditions. Hi, my name
0:35
is Jared, and I talk about interesting
0:37
stories and trends in black culture
0:39
because black culture honestly is just
0:41
that interesting to me. If you share my
0:43
interest, hit that subscribe button and
0:45
let's deep dive into some interesting
0:47
black culture and history in every
0:49
episode. Let's start our exploration of
0:51
big cities that are shedding their black
0:54
population in large numbers here in the
0:56
West Coast in the city they call San
0:58
Francisco. San Francisco's history is
1:01
marked by the gold rush. The city's
1:03
picturesque landscape and cultural
1:04
landmarks have made it a global
1:06
destination. The black community in San
1:08
Francisco grew during World War II,
1:11
attracted by shipyard jobs and other
1:13
wartime industries. Neighborhoods like
1:15
the Fillmore District became vibrant
1:17
centers of black culture and business.
1:19
However, urban renewal projects in the
1:21
mid 20th century led to the displacement
1:24
of many black residents. The black
1:26
population in San Francisco has
1:27
continued to decline, influenced by
1:30
factors such as gentrification, high
1:32
cost of living, and limited economic
1:34
opportunities. Many black residents have
1:36
relocated to more affordable areas
1:38
within the Bay Area or other states.
1:41
Black people made up 13.4% of San
1:43
Francisco in 1970. Currently, it is
1:46
estimated that the number is down to
1:48
5.3%. As of early 2025, the median home
1:52
price in San Francisco is approximately
1:55
$1.4 million. The median household
1:58
income in San Francisco is around
2:01
$119,000. And I'm sorry, I know I'm no
2:03
financial whiz, but how are you supposed
2:05
to afford a $1.4 million house with an
2:08
income of
2:09
$119,000? The exorbitant cost of living
2:12
driven primarily by housing expenses
2:14
makes it difficult for many residents,
2:16
especially those from historically
2:18
marginalized communities to remain in
2:20
the city. Younger generations such as
2:22
Gen Z and still millennials find home
2:24
ownership particularly unattainable,
2:26
often requiring annual incomes exceeding
2:29
400,000 to afford medianric homes. And
2:32
I'm sure AI is not going to make this
2:34
any better because a lot of those tech
2:36
jobs are leaving at the same time. This
2:39
economic pressure contributes to the
2:41
ongoing exodus of black residents
2:43
seeking more sustainable living
2:45
conditions elsewhere. And number two, we
2:47
have Miami, Florida. Miami has evolved
2:49
from a small resort town into a major
2:52
international city known for its
2:54
cultural diversity, tourism, and role as
2:57
a gateway to Latin America. Its economy
3:00
is heavily influenced by tourism,
3:02
finance, and international trade. The
3:05
black community in Miami has a rich
3:07
history with roots in the early 20th
3:09
century when African-Americans and
3:11
Caribbean immigrants settled in areas
3:13
like Overtown and Liberty City. These
3:16
neighborhoods became cultural hubs,
3:18
fostering a vibrant community despite
3:20
facing segregation and economic
3:22
challenges. In recent years, Miami has
3:24
seen a decline in its black population.
3:26
Factors contributing to this trend
3:28
include rising housing costs,
3:30
gentrification of historically black
3:32
neighborhoods, and economic disparities.
3:34
Many black residents have had to move to
3:36
suburban areas or other regions in
3:38
search of more affordable living
3:40
conditions and better economic
3:42
opportunities. In 1990, almost 25% of
3:45
Miami was black. According to the 2020
3:47
census, Miami is currently 12% black.
3:50
The median home price in Miami is
3:52
approximately
3:54
$450,000. This represents a significant
3:57
increase over the past decade driven by
3:59
high demand and limited housing supply.
4:01
The median household income in Miami is
4:04
only around
4:05
$55,000. The combination of housing
4:08
costs, relatively low median incomes,
4:11
and economic disparities makes living in
4:13
Miami challenging for many black
4:15
residents. Gentrification has led to the
4:17
displacement of longlasting communities.
4:19
These factors contribute to the
4:21
migration of black residents to areas
4:23
with more affordable living conditions
4:25
and better job prospects. At number
4:27
three, we have New Orleans. Founded in
4:31
1718, New Orleans is renowned for its
4:33
rich cultural heritage, blending French,
4:35
Spanish, African, and Creole influences.
4:38
The city's unique traditions, music, and
4:41
cuisine have made it a cultural
4:42
landmark. New Orleans has a deeprooted
4:45
black community with traditions that
4:47
have significantly shaped the city's
4:49
identity. The black population has been
4:51
instrumental in the development of jazz
4:53
music and other cultural expressions. In
4:56
the 2000 census, black people made up
4:59
66.7% of New Orleans. In 2020, the
5:02
percentage was down to
5:04
53.6%. And there is one huge factor that
5:07
contributed to that. 2005 Hurricane
5:10
Katrina. Hurricane Katrina led to the
5:12
displacement of 800,000 people, the
5:15
majority of whom, of course, were black.
5:17
Recovery efforts have been uneven, and
5:20
economic challenges persist,
5:21
contributing to the continued decline in
5:24
the black population. Many were forced
5:26
to leave not just the city, but the
5:27
state of Louisiana completely to start
5:30
over elsewhere after the hurricane.
5:32
Those who stayed in lowincome
5:33
neighborhoods have seen an increase in
5:35
violent crime, while other parts of New
5:37
Orleans have seen a dramatic increase in
5:39
the cost of living. At number four, we
5:42
have Los Angeles, California. LA emerged
5:45
as a major metropolitan area with the
5:48
rise of the entertainment industry and
5:50
its role as a Pacific Rim trade center.
5:52
Its diverse population has contributed
5:54
to a rich culture that goes beyond
5:56
Hollywood. But that culture has seen
5:58
challenges in recent decades due to what
6:01
else? high cost of living. Mid 20th
6:03
century industrial jobs attracted black
6:06
migrants to neighborhoods like South Los
6:08
Angeles. These communities became
6:10
centers of black culture and activism.
6:12
Cities like Compton and Englewood are
6:14
world famous for black culture, but some
6:17
of these neighborhoods are looking a
6:18
little different lately thanks to
6:20
gentrification. The black population in
6:22
Los Angeles has been declining, heavily
6:25
influenced by rising housing costs and
6:27
economic challenges. Many black
6:29
residents have relocated to more
6:31
affordable areas within California or
6:34
other states completely. Back in 1980,
6:37
LA was 16.7% black. Now that percentage
6:40
is down to 8.2%. The median home value
6:44
in Los Angeles County is approximately
6:47
$800,000, while the median household
6:50
income is only around $70,000. I keep
6:53
telling my friends over and over this is
6:55
going to correct one of these days, but
6:57
they don't believe me. Someone please do
6:58
the math and tell me how this makes
7:00
sense and see how it's possible that
7:03
someone can afford a $800,000 house on a
7:06
$70,000 income while also dealing with
7:09
some of the highest gas prices and taxes
7:11
in America. And if you're like, why
7:13
don't people just rent? Well, the
7:15
average price for a two-bedroom
7:16
apartment in the city of LA is around
7:19
$2,900. High living costs, traffic
7:22
congestion, and economic inequality pose
7:26
significant challenges for residents,
7:27
particularly for the black community.
7:29
The city's housing shortage, exagerbated
7:32
by natural disasters like wildfires, has
7:35
led to an increased competition, which
7:37
in turn means higher prices for
7:39
everyone. At number five, we have
7:41
Chicago, Illinois. Chicago's strategic
7:44
location made it a hub for
7:45
transportation and industry. The city
7:48
attracted a diverse workforce and became
7:50
known for its architectural innovations
7:52
and cultural institutions. The great
7:55
migration brought a significant number
7:56
of black individuals to Chicago,
7:58
particularly the southside. The
8:00
communities thrive culturally and
8:02
economically, but also face systematic
8:05
challenges, including segregation and
8:07
economic disparities. If you haven't
8:09
watched our recent video on how Chicago
8:11
became the most segregated big city in
8:13
America, I'll leave a link below in the
8:15
description. Chicago has experienced a
8:17
notable decline in its black population.
8:20
Contributing factors include economic
8:22
challenges, crime rates, and urban
8:24
renewal projects that have displaced
8:26
long-standing communities. Many black
8:28
residents have moved to suburban areas
8:30
or other cities in search of better
8:32
opportunities and living conditions. The
8:35
black population in Chicago was at 39%
8:38
at its highest in 1990. It currently
8:40
stands at 28%. And last but not least,
8:43
there is the concrete jungle, New York
8:46
City. New York City has long been a
8:48
beacon for immigrants and migrants
8:50
seeking opportunity. Its diverse
8:52
neighborhoods have been shaped by waves
8:54
of newcomers, each leaving an undeniable
8:57
mark on the city's cultural fabric.
8:59
During the Great Migration, many black
9:01
families moved from the south to
9:02
northern cities like New York, seeking
9:04
better economic opportunities and
9:06
escaping Jim Crow laws. Neighborhoods
9:08
such as Harlem became epicenters of
9:11
black culture and activism, giving rise
9:13
to movements like the Harlem
9:14
Renaissance. However, these communities
9:17
also face challenges, including
9:18
redlinining and housing discrimination,
9:21
which limited their growth and
9:23
prosperity. In recent years, New York
9:25
City has seen a decline in its black
9:27
population. Between 2000 and 2020, the
9:30
black population in New York declined,
9:32
many moving back to the south in what is
9:35
called the second great migration. This
9:37
time, black people are moving back to
9:38
the south. If you're looking to rent a
9:40
one-bedroom apartment in New York City,
9:42
the average price now is
9:45
$3,900. A twobedroom place is over
9:49
$5,000. Somebody has some money
9:51
somewhere. And the median household
9:53
income is right around $80,000. The high
9:56
cost of living, affordable housing
9:58
shortages, and economic inequality make
10:01
residing in New York City particularly
10:03
challenging for many black residents.
10:05
The city's housing shortage is driven by
10:08
a lack of housing supply with
10:10
restrictive zoning regulations
10:11
contributing to the under supply of
10:13
housing. So, do any of these cities
10:16
surprise you? I know these days
10:17
everybody is feeling the economic
10:19
squeeze regardless of where you live.
10:21
But these cities have taken it to a
10:23
whole another level. This trend has been
10:25
growing for decades, but CO has really
10:28
escalated things making housing,
10:30
groceries, travel, just about everything
10:33
way more expensive. So, what are your
10:35
thoughts on this? Did you move out of
10:37
any of these cities we talked about? If
10:39
so, let me know where you moved to and
10:41
how it compares. So, that's it for this
10:43
video. I'll catch you on the next
#Discrimination & Identity Relations
#Housing & Development
#Demographics