An Economic Perspective on Black Hartfords History

1
An Economic Perspective on Black Hartfords
History Future

• Diane L. Smith
• April 10, 2008

2
General Overview

• Population
• Income
• Housing
• Education

3
Changes in Hartford Population

• In 1950, Hartfords Population was less than 10
  black.
• By 1990, the population was 40 black, 40 White
  and 20 Hispanic.
• 2006 estimates Hartfords black population at 37
• The city has lost more than a third of its
  population since 1950

4
Concentration of Black Population 1950 -1980

• Black population begins and concentrates in north
  end

Figure 1 Black Population 1950
Figure 2 Black Population 1960
Figure 3 Black Population 1970
Figure 4 Black Population 1980
5
Income DistributionMedian Income

• In general, median income for blacks in the US is
  67 of whites from 1967 to 1980

6
Income DistributionMedian Income

• In 2000, Hartford median income was 46 of the
  states median. Hartford black media was just
  about equal to the citys level.
• 2006 Census data estimates for CT black median
  income falling to 59 of whites 70K vs. 41K

7
Income DistributionPoverty

• Hartfords poverty rate in 2006 was 32 compared
  to the States at 8
• 26 of Hartford black population lived at poverty
  income levels

8
Income DistributionPoverty Geographically -
Hartford
2000
1990
9
Income Distribution Hartford Revenue

• Hartford receives about 46 of its annual
  revenues from taxes another 45 from
  intergovernmental sources
• Property tax (residential and commercial) is the
  source of most of the tax revenue
• The state provides more than 80 of the
  intergovernmental funds to the city

10
Housing Opportunity

• Historically, blacks occupied the oldest units in
  the city as well as the largest developments

11
Housing Opportunity

• In 1960, about 25 of Hartfords housing stock
  had been built in the last ten years
• By 2000, only 4 of the citys stock had been
  built in the last decade.
• Nearly one third of Hartfords housing was built
  before 1939

12
Housing Opportunity

• More than half of Hartfords housing was
  comprised of single family units in 1960.
• By 2000 that percentage had shrunk to one fifth.
• Another on fifth of the housing in 2000 were
  developments of 20, 50 or more units.

13
Housing OpportunityHomeownership 2000
14
Education

• 41 of Hartfords student enrollment is black.
• Hartfords 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders had the
  lowest proportion of students meeting goals for
  reading in the state in the 06-07 year.
• The high school graduation rate for Hartford
  students 2006 was 76 compared to the state rate
  of 92.
• State Dept. of Education reports 38.7 of
  Hartford adults dont have a high school diploma.

15
EducationHartford Expenditures

• Hartfords 2007-08 budget includes 261MM for
  education. A total of 51 of its general fund
  budget

16
The Challenge for Black Hartford

• Access and commitment to wealth building
  strategies including
• Successful schools and education
• Employment opportunities that are economically
  viable
• Homeownership opportunities
• Public policies and investment that support
• Educational infrastructure responsive to current
  and future student needs
• Strategic economic development including small
  business development
• Neighborhood revitalization
• Private interest and investment that complement
  public purpose