Census Demographics

This section of Vital Signs tracks how many people live in a neighborhood and the cultural and economic backgrounds of its residents. While these indicators are basic, they are immensely important for understanding, planning for, and addressing neighborhood needs. This data is also challenging to capture year to year. People move in and out of neighborhoods. People in neighborhoods start families, welcome relatives into to their household, or send young adults off into the world. People in neighborhoods suddenly lose jobs, change careers, or retire. People live in neighborhoods, but counting and understanding their characteristics remains a never-ending task for our nation’s demographers.

In the U.S., we have two primary tools that collect demographic and socioeconomic data about residents. These tools are the decennial census and the American Community Survey (ACS).

The census is administered every 10 years. Our most recent census, discussed in greater depth in the Introduction for Vital Signs 21, took place in 2020. The census provides an official population count and tracts basic demographic data. The ACS, also administrated by the U.S. Census Bureau, is an ongoing, continuous survey of a sample of residents. The tool asks questions on a wider number of topics than the census and provides estimates of the social and economic characteristics of the population. These estimates aid understanding of local issues. When paired together, the data collected by these tools help to make sense of population and community change.

Currently, the ACS provides 1 and 5-year estimates of their results. ^[1]  Responses collected by the ACS are averaged over 5 years of data collection and comparisons across time can only be made with non-overlapping years. BNIA uses the 5-year estimates in Vital Signs, while this data is the least current of the estimates, it provides the most reliable data at the city level. Even though ACS data is released annually, year-over-year comparisons cannot be made because four of the five years in each time period overlap. The advantage of using multiyear estimates is greater statistical reliability for smaller areas or population subgroups – a necessity for understanding Baltimore neighborhoods.

In Vital Signs 21, the latest release of data from 2017-2021 ACS is presented in comparison with either the 2020 Census or the 2012-2016 ACS. We note in indicator descriptions where different data is used for a calculation. We frequently use the 2020 population counts from the Census as denominators for normalizing other rates and indicators. In Vital Signs when we describe quality of life measures – and in this chapter income levels, race/ethnicity, and poverty status – the ACS data is used.

The population of a neighborhood, and how it changes over time, is quite possibly the most important indicator in Vital Signs. The Community Statistical Areas (CSAs) that are used to report Vital Signs data are aggregations of census tracts that represent neighborhoods. Since the CSAs vary by population size, many indicators are normalized by population so that rates and percentages can be compared uniformly. Based on the 2010 Census, the largest CSAs in terms of population size are Cedonia/Frankford (22,455), Hampden/Remington (17,733), and Midtown (17,099). The smallest CSAs are Dickeyville/Franklintown (3672), Poppleton/ The Terraces/Hollins Market (4728), and Harbor East/Little Italy (5027).

The counts for male and female population for 2020 have not yet been released by the US Census Bureau. In 2010, the total male population was highest in Cedonia/Frankford (10,788), Greater Rosemont (8,783), and Southwest Baltimore (8,685) and lowest in Dickeyville/Franklintown (1733), Mount Washington (2312), and Poppleton/The Terraces/Hollins Market (2403). The total female population was highest in Cedonia/Frankford, Greater Rosemont, and Belair-Edison and lowest in Dickeyville/Franklintown, Poppleton/The Terraces/Hollins Market, and Washington Village/Pigtown.

Similar to population size, CSAs vary by total number of households, and some indicators are normalized by households so that rates and percentages can be compared uniformly. We are still waiting for the household counts from the 2020 Census.  

CSAs, in terms of number of households, are not the same as the ones for population size, since households can range from a single person to large families. Based on the 2010 Census, the largest CSAs in terms of number of households are Cedonia/Frankford (9,348), Midtown (9,078), and Medfield/Hampden/Woodberry/Remington (8,289). The smallest CSAs are Dickeyville/Franklintown (1,877), Poppleton/The Terraces/Hollins Market (2,181), and Pigtown/Carroll Park (2,273).

In 2010, the City’s average household size was 2.4 persons with CSAs ranging from a high of 3.3 persons per house- hold in Madison/East End to a low of 1.6 in Downtown/ Seton Hill. These same CSAs correspond to the highest and lowest percentage of households with children under 18 years old (51% in Madison/East End and 8.6% in Downtown/Seton Hill).

During 2017-2021, the CSAs with the highest percentage of households with children were Madison/East End (47.7%), Cherry Hill (44.7%), and Southeastern (43.7%). The CSAs with the lowest percentage were Midtown (5.6%) and Downtown/Seton Hill (5.8%).

Between 2012-2016 and 2017-2021, the percentage of households with children under 18 declined from 26.1% to 23.6%. During that time period, the CSAs that experienced the largest decreases in the percentage of households with children were Harbor East/Little Italy (-14.1%), Brooklyn/Curtis Bay/Hawkins Point (-12.3%), and Southwest Baltimore (–10.4%). The CSAs with the largest increases in the percentage of households with children were Midway/Coldstream (+11.2%) and Southeastern (+9%).

During 2017-2021, the CSAs with the highest percentage of households with children under 18 that were female-headed were Upton/Druid Heights (82.3%), Cherry Hill (82%), and Pimlico/Arlington/Hilltop (81.9%). The CSAs with the lowest percentage were Fells Point (9.7%) and Greater Roland Park/Poplar Hill (10.5%).

Between 2012-2016 and 2017-2021, the percentage of households with children under 18 that were female-headed declined by 2%, from 52.6% to 50.6%. During that time period, the CSAs that experienced the largest decreases in the percentage of households with children that were female-headed were Midway/Coldsteam (-21.8%), Oldtown/Middle East (-20.8%), and Clifton-Berea (-19.4%). The CSAs with the largest increases in the percentage of households with children that were female-headed were Highlandtown (+31.3%) and Pimlico/Arlington/Hilltop (+26.7%).

The Census asks two questions for respondents to identify race (White/Caucasian, Black/African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, two or more races, which BNIA-JFI aggregates to “Other”) and ethnicity separately (Hispanic or Non-Hispanic). Vital Signs 21 reports race for non-Hispanic persons separately from Hispanic population by CSA. This distinction comes from the Census Bureau: “The racial categories included in the census questionnaire generally reflect a social definition of race recognized in this country and not an attempt to define race biologically, anthropologically, or genetically… People who identify their origin as Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish may be of any race.” ^[2] 

During 2017-2021, the CSAs with the highest percentage of non-Hispanic Black/African-Americans were Midway/Coldstream (97.2%), Greater Rosemont (96.5%), and Edmondson Village (96.3%).

Between 2012-2016 and 2017-2021, the percentage non-Hispanic Black/African-American population in Baltimore declined by 1.5% from 62.4% to 60.9%. The CSAs with the largest decreases in the percentage non-Hispanic Black/African-American population were Poppleton/The Terraces/Hollins Market (-28.5%), Southeastern (-12.1%), and Westport/Mount Winans/Lakeland (-11.4%). The CSAs with the largest increases in the percentage non-Hispanic Black/ African-American population were Downtown/Seton Hill (+12.4%) and Hamilton Hills (+6.7%).

During 2017-2021, the CSAs with the highest percentage Non-Hispanic White population were South Baltimore (85.7%), Canton (79.9%), and Hampden/Remington (77.2%).

Between 2012-2016 and 2017-2021, the percentage non-Hispanic White population in Baltimore declined slightly from 27.7% to 27.3%. The CSAs with the largest decreases in the percentage Non-Hispanic White population were Orchard Ridge/Armistead (-11.6%), Hamilton Hills (-10.3%), and Greater Roland Park/Poplar Hill (-10.2%). The CSAs with the largest increases in the percentage non-Hispanic White population were Harbor East/Little Italy (+12.6%) and Greektown/Bayview (+12.4%).

During 2017-2021, the CSAs with the highest percentage Asian population were Downtown/Seton Hill (9.9%), Greater Charles Village/Barclay (9.8%), and North Baltimore/Guilford/Homeland (9.5%).

Between 2012-2016 and 2017-2021, the percentage Asian population in Baltimore stayed the same at 2.5%. The CSAs with the largest decreases in the percentage Asian population were Downtown/Seton Hill (-4.6%) and Westport/Mount Winans/Lakeland (-3.8%). The CSAs with the largest increases in the percentage Asian population were Brooklyn/Curtis Bay/Hawkins Point (+3.5%) and Morrell Park/Violetville (+3.0%).

During 2017-2021, the CSAs with the highest percentage Hispanic population were Southeastern (31%), Orangeville/East Highlandtown (30.5%), and Westport/Mount Winans/Lakeland (29.4%).

Between 2012-2016 and 2017-2021, the Hispanic population in Baltimore increased from 4.8% to 5.6%. The CSAs with the largest decreases in the percentage of the Hispanic population were Patterson Park North & East (-7.5%), Highlandtown (-5.7%), and Greektown/Bayview (-4.6%). The CSAs with the largest increases in the Hispanic population were Westport/Mount Winans/Lakeland (+25.1%), Greater Roland Park/Poplar Hill (+11.2%), and Southeastern (+7.7%).

In order to measure overall diversity across all communities, Vital Signs includes the racial diversity index, which measures the chance of choosing two people at random in a neighborhood and each being a different race or ethnicity.

Between 2012-2016 and 2017-2021, Baltimore’s overall racial diversity index increased from 55.5 to 58.4.

During 2015-2021, the CSAs with the greatest racial diversity were Southeastern (80.9), and Brooklyn/Curtis Bay/Hawkins Point (80.9), and Westport/Mount Winans/Lakeland (79.0). The CSAs with the lowest racial diversity were Midway/Coldstream (5.8) and Greater Rosemont (7.9).

Population age groups in Vital Signs reflect general “life cycle” ranges from under 5 years old, school-age, college-age, working-age, and seniors. Age ranges were compared over time between the 2012-2016 ACS and the 2017-2021 ACS.

From 2012-2016 to 2017-2021, the percentage of the population under 5 years old in Baltimore decreased slightly from 6.7% to 6.2%. During 2017-2019, the CSAs with the highest percentage of the population under 5 years old were Orangeville/East Highlandtown (12.8%), Dickeyville/Franklintown (12.6%), and Cherry Hill (12.4%). The CSAs with the lowest percentage were Midtown (1.7%) and Greater Charles Village/Barclay (3.4%).

From 2012-2016 to 2017-2021, the percentage of the population 5 to 17 years old decreased slightly in Baltimore from 14.5% to 14.4%. During 2017-2021, the CSAs with the highest percentage population 5 to 17 years old were Westport/Mount Winans/Lakeland (30.1%) and Cherry Hill (27.1%). The CSAs with the lowest percentage were Canton (3.0%) and Midtown (3.3%).

From 2012-2016 to 2017-2021, the percentage of the population 18 to 24 years old decreased in Baltimore from 10.9% to 9.4%. During 2015-2021, the CSAs with the highest percentage population 18 to 24 years old were Greater Charles Village/ Barclay (28.9%) and Northwood (26.7%). The CSAs with the lowest percentage were Canton (4.1%) and Mount Washington/Coldspring (4.1%)

From 2012-2016 to 2017-2021, the percentage of the population 25 to 64 years old increased slightly in Baltimore from 55.7% to 55.9%. During 2015-2021, the CSAs with the highest percentage population 25 to 64 years old were Canton (74.7%), South Baltimore (74.5%), and Fells Point (74.2%). The CSAs with the lowest percentage were Cherry Hill (40.7%), North Baltimore/Guilford/Homeland (41.96%), and Westport/Mount Winans/Lakeland (42.7%).

From 2012-2016 to 2017-2021, the percentage of the population 65 years old or older increased in Baltimore from 12.3% to 14.1%. During 2015-2021, the CSAs with the highest percentage population 65 years old or older were Pimlico/Arlington/Hilltop (25.0%) and Morrell Park/Violetville (21.0%). The CSAs with the lowest percentage were Downtown/Seton Hill (4.3%) and South Baltimore (6.22%).

During 2017-2021, the CSA with the greatest median household income was Canton ($135,435) and the lowest was Upton/Druid Heights ($23,780).

Adjusting for inflation the median household income in Baltimore increased from $46,614 during 2012-2016 to $48,275 during 2017-2021. ^[3]   The CSAs that experienced the greatest increases in adjusted median household income between 2012-2016 and 2017-2021 were North Baltimore/Guilford/Homeland (+34,661), Harbor East/Little Italy (+$29,122), and Canton (+$22,789). The CSAs that experienced the greatest decreases in adjusted median household income were Westport/Mt. Winans/Lakeland (-$10,145) and Brooklyn/Curtis Bay/Hawkins Point(-$6,892).

Between 2012-2016 and 2017-2021, the percent of family households in Baltimore City living below the poverty line declined from 18.3% to 15.3%. The CSAs with the greatest percentage of families in poverty included Poppleton/The Terraces/Hollins Market (47.9%), Oldtown/Middle East (43.2%), and Upton/Druid Heights (39.4%).  

Between 2012-2016 and 2017-2021, the percent of children in Baltimore City living below the poverty line declined from 33.3% to 27.9%. The CSAs with the greatest percentage of children living in poverty included Sandtown-Winchester/Harlem Park (68.8%), Poppleton/The Terraces/Hollings Market (66.6%), and Upton/Druid Heights (58.1%).

During 2017-2021, 25.6% of the City’s households earned less than $25,000 annually. The CSAs with the greatest percentage of households earning less than $25,000 annually include Upton/Druid Heights (52.6%), Poppleton/The Terraces/Hollins Market (51.2%), and Oldtown/Middle East (50.5%).

Between 2012-2016 and 2017-2021, the percentage of households earning less than $25,000 declined in Baltimore by -5.5% from 31.1% to 25.6%. The CSAs with the greatest decreases were Pigtown/Carroll Gardens (-14.7%) and Clifton-Berea (-13.5%).

During 2017-2021, 36.3% of households in Baltimore City earned more than $75,000 annually. The CSAs with the greatest percentage of households earning more than $75,000 annually include South Baltimore (74.9%), Canton (73.6%), and Greater Roland Park/Poplar Hill (70.1%).

Between 2012-2016 and 2017-2021, the percentage of households earning more than $75,000 increased in Baltimore by 7.8% from 28.5% to 36.3%. The CSAs with the greatest increases were Greektown/Bayview (20.2%) and Harbor East/Little Italy (+15.1%).