The 2020 Decennial Census Data detailing population and housing totals is upon us. In light of this, we examined segregation and change in Pittsburgh neighborhoods from 2010 to 2020 (using P2 tables from the U.S Census Bureau).

We examined whether Pittsburgh neighborhoods tended to stay the same or change between 2010 and 2020 on measures of race, ethnicity and total population. Data was pulled for census block groups and aggregated to the neighborhood level using official City of Pittsburgh neighborhood boundaries. In some cases, multiple neighborhoods were grouped together because they shared the same block group boundary as of the 2020 census.

The results should be familiar to readers of our blog and neighborhood level research in general: most Pittsburgh neighborhoods did not experience a significant change in their racial and ethnic populations. Persistent racial segregation is still the rule, not exception. However, a number of neighborhoods did experience significant change.

By cross referencing former analyses of ours and comparing relative change across Pittsburgh neighborhoods, we examined whether there was evidence of Black Displacement, Black Exodus, White Flight, Neighborhoods in Decline, and Significant Population Growth, all of which are detailed in our findings and methodology.

While persistent racial segregation was the norm, neighborhoods like East Liberty saw evidence of Black Displacement, neighborhoods like Homewood North saw evidence of a Black Exodus for reasons unrelated to gentrification; neighborhoods like Carrick saw evidence of White Flight in response to growing diversity; neighborhoods like Marshall-Shadeland are emptying out and appear to be in decline; and Downtown and other wealthy neighborhoods saw Significant Population Growth.

Access our analysis writeup and interactive map with our primary findings by clicking here.