Race/ethnicity/immigration structure and shifts
Though a slave state, Kentucky never depended on a plantation economy. In 1830, almost 25% of the population was black. After the Civil War, a lack of jobs and migration to the industrial cities of the Midwest in the 1890s may have accounted for a dwindling black population. In 2000 the black population of Kentucky was relatively low at 295,994 (7.3%). The Hispanic and Asian immigrants are a large proportion of population growth. Asian group are largely involved in relatively professional work with high income. While Hispanic group largely are occupied in manual work with relatively low income. Majority of African American group are unemployed and rely on welfare from government. They are separated spatially and economically. In metro area, Black is on the top of poverty rate, Hispanic is second, Indian is third, Asian/Pac. Islander is forth and Non-Hispanic White is last. African American concentrated on the north side of city as same as their original settlement. Hispanic residents live on the southwest side of city and Asian residents live on the southeast side of city. |
Poverty/social class structure and shifts
Like most metropolitan areas, Lexington is economically segregated. The higher income occupied neighborhoods are safer and quieter, while the lower income occupied areas are shadier. The city’s settlement started on the north side of town and then gradually sprawled out. In 1980, the northeastern and northwestern areas were where African American with income below the poverty line concentrated. Whites were living on the south side of town. In 2010, the city represented in a more clear distribution pattern – poor people centralized in urban core and people with high income moved to suburb. The most concentrated slum has been replaced by a nice low-density neighborhood and original residents moved elsewhere. The phenomenon of gentrification is obvious on the north side of Lexington. One point of concentration has been scattered into several points throughout the region. Crimes usually happen on north side of city and the bottom of south outside of urban boundary. University of Kentucky is located on the south of city so the crime rate is extremely lower than other areas. However, by and large, the central business district is surrounded by poor neighborhoods within urban boundary. One exception is an exclusive neighborhood on the east side of city. It boasts a beautiful lakefront view and attracts many high-income families.
Like most metropolitan areas, Lexington is economically segregated. The higher income occupied neighborhoods are safer and quieter, while the lower income occupied areas are shadier. The city’s settlement started on the north side of town and then gradually sprawled out. In 1980, the northeastern and northwestern areas were where African American with income below the poverty line concentrated. Whites were living on the south side of town. In 2010, the city represented in a more clear distribution pattern – poor people centralized in urban core and people with high income moved to suburb. The most concentrated slum has been replaced by a nice low-density neighborhood and original residents moved elsewhere. The phenomenon of gentrification is obvious on the north side of Lexington. One point of concentration has been scattered into several points throughout the region. Crimes usually happen on north side of city and the bottom of south outside of urban boundary. University of Kentucky is located on the south of city so the crime rate is extremely lower than other areas. However, by and large, the central business district is surrounded by poor neighborhoods within urban boundary. One exception is an exclusive neighborhood on the east side of city. It boasts a beautiful lakefront view and attracts many high-income families.