Title: An Economic Perspective on Black Hartfords History
1An Economic Perspective on Black Hartfords
History Future
- Diane L. Smith
- April 10, 2008
2General Overview
- Population
- Income
- Housing
- Education
3Changes 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
4Concentration 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
5Income DistributionMedian Income
- In general, median income for blacks in the US is
67 of whites from 1967 to 1980
6Income 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
7Income DistributionPoverty
- Hartfords poverty rate in 2006 was 32 compared
to the States at 8 - 26 of Hartford black population lived at poverty
income levels
8Income DistributionPoverty Geographically -
Hartford
2000
1990
9Income 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
10Housing Opportunity
- Historically, blacks occupied the oldest units in
the city as well as the largest developments
11Housing 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
12Housing 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.
13Housing OpportunityHomeownership 2000
14Education
- 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.
15EducationHartford Expenditures
- Hartfords 2007-08 budget includes 261MM for
education. A total of 51 of its general fund
budget
16The 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