Black Population Plummets in Nashville Neighborhoods

The new development in and around Downtown Nashville is driving out black residents, according to this article.

1 minute read

December 29, 2017, 10:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Nashville

ESB Professional / Shutterstock

"Some historic African-American neighborhoods in Nashville’s urban core have experienced declines of more than 20 percent in their black populations over the past decade," reports Mike Reicher.  

The article shares conclusions from an analysis of U.S. Census data by the Tennessean. "The findings will ring true for anyone who has followed the urban core’s redevelopment and gentrification, but this may be the first time the dramatic racial shifts have been documented with data," explains Reicher.

Reicher focuses on the neighborhood of Edgehill, which "had one of the largest racial shifts in the county during the past decade. The racial lines drawn by the change in the neighborhood is stark:

From 2007 to 2011, African-Americans made up 67 percent of the total population, on average, census data shows. But between 2012 and 2016, their average share was down to 50 percent. The white population, meanwhile, shifted from 26 percent to 45 percent in the same time frame.

On the other end of the equation, outlying areas like Goodlettsville, Hermitage, and Neely’s Bend have seen increased black population. 

Wednesday, December 27, 2017 in Tennessean

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of man in manually operated wheelchair waiting at urban crosswalk.

Making Mobility More Inclusive

A new study highlights the challenges people with disabilities continue to face in navigating urban spaces.

45 minutes ago - Greater Good Magazine

US and Texas flags flying in front of Texas state capitol dome in Austin, Texas.

Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness

A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.

1 hour ago - The Texas Tribune

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure

If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

2 hours ago - Inside Climate News