DeKalb County, Georgia, resides in the north-central part of the state, neighboring Fulton, Gwinnett, and Rockdale counties. It’s an integral part of the Atlanta metropolitan area and boasts a population of approximately 763,000 individuals as of the 2020 census.
The county seat is Decatur, with its largest city being Stonecrest. Named in honor of Johann de Kalb, a German-born Revolutionary War officer, DeKalb County is renowned for its diverse and multicultural community, well-regarded public schools, and robust economy. However, it grapples with notable disparities in income, poverty, unemployment, and education levels across its various neighborhoods.
In this article, we delve into five of the most economically challenged neighborhoods in DeKalb County, using data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) spanning 2017-2021. We utilize the following indicators to gauge poverty:
1. Belvedere Park
Belvedere Park, situated in eastern DeKalb County near Avondale Estates and Candler-McAfee, is an urban enclave characterized by a predominantly Black population, alongside Whites, Hispanics, and Asians. Its population hovers around 16,000, but it contends with significant socioeconomic hurdles, as evidenced by ACS data, which reveals:
- A median household income of $36,000, a figure 48% lower than the county’s median and 55% below the national median.
- A poverty rate of 28%, nearly three times the county’s rate and more than twice the national average.
- An unemployment rate of 10%, surpassing both the county and national rates.
- An educational attainment rate of 57%, signifying that only about half of the adult population has completed high school or attained higher education.
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2. Redan
Redan, situated in southeastern DeKalb County near Stone Mountain and Lithonia, represents a suburban neighborhood with a predominantly Black population, alongside Whites, Hispanics, and Asians. With a population of approximately 34,000 residents, Redan confronts significant socioeconomic challenges, as indicated by ACS data:
- A median household income of $44,000, marking a 40% deficit compared to the county median and 35% lower than the national median.
- A poverty rate of 22%, more than twice that of the county and one-and-a-half times higher than the national rate.
- An unemployment rate of 8%, exceeding both county and national levels.
- An educational attainment rate of 80%, signifying that about four-fifths of the adult population has completed high school or higher education.
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3. Clarkston
Clarkston, positioned in central DeKalb County near Tucker and Scottdale, represents an urban area celebrated for its diversity, housing Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, Asians, and refugees from various nations. Despite a population of around 13,000, Clarkston faces pronounced socioeconomic challenges, reflected in ACS data:
- A median household income of $46,000, a 38% drop compared to the county median and 32% below the national median.
- A poverty rate of 20%, more than twice the county’s rate and one-and-a-half times higher than the national rate.
- An unemployment rate of 7%, surpassing county and national averages.
- An educational attainment rate of 82%, suggesting that about four-fifths of the adult population has completed high school or higher education.
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4. Panthersville
Panthersville, an urban neighborhood in southern DeKalb County near Gresham Park and Candler-McAfee, features a predominantly Black population, alongside Whites, Hispanics, and Asians. With a population of roughly 10,000, Panthersville grapples with socioeconomic challenges, as evident from ACS data:
- A median household income of $51,000, which is 32% lower than the county median and 24% below the national median.
- A poverty rate of 18%, nearly twice as high as the county rate and one-and-a-half times greater than the national rate.
- An unemployment rate of 6%, exceeding both county and national levels.
- An educational attainment rate of 82%, suggesting that about four-fifths of the adult population has completed high school or higher education.
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5. Scottdale
Scottdale, an urban neighborhood in central DeKalb County near Decatur and Clarkston, represents a diverse community featuring Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, and Asians. With a population of roughly 11,000, Scottdale grapples with significant socioeconomic challenges, as revealed by ACS data:
- A median household income of $54,000, marking a 28% decline compared to the county median and 20% below the national median.
- A poverty rate of 16%, one-and-a-half times higher than the county rate and national rate.
- An unemployment rate of 5%, surpassing county and national averages.
- An educational attainment rate of 77%, suggesting that about three-fourths of the adult population has completed high school or higher education.
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Conclusion
DeKalb County, Georgia, occupies a vital position in the state’s north-central region as part of the bustling Atlanta metropolitan area. Embracing a diverse and multicultural population encompassing Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and refugees from various corners of the globe, the county is not without its challenges. Evident through disparities in income, poverty, unemployment, and educational achievement among its neighborhoods, DeKalb County underscores the importance of concerted efforts from multiple stakeholders to address these pressing issues, thus enhancing the quality of life and well-being for all its residents.