STATISTICAL EVALUATION
The data displayed in the following charts was drawn from the Statistical Record of Black America, 4th edition, 1995. This information is based on a United States Census. For regional data pertaining to the East St. Louis area, refer to /durp/UP299-S99/ecdata.htm. These charts were included in order to give a broad overview of African American housing choices/standards and of the income used to support this housing.
INCOME CHARACTERISTICS: BLACK-OCCUPIED UNITS
Household Income (# in thousands)
Characteristics
Total Occupied Units
Tenure
Owner
Renter
Total
11,128
4,788
6,340
Less than $5,000
1,491
381
1,111
$5,000 to $9,999
1,899
604
1,295
$10,000 to $14,999
1,308
433
874
$15,000 to $19,999
1,187
450
737
$20,000 to $24,999
964
411
553
$25,000 to $29,999
896
402
494
$30,000 to $34,999
598
284
314
$35,000 to $39,999
528
256
272
$40,000 to $49,999
776
454
322
$50,000 to $59,999
513
337
176
$60,000 to $79,999
562
428
134
$80,000 to $99,999
196
158
38
$100,000 to $119,999
89
85
4
$120,000 or more
121
105
15
IMPORTANCE OF CHART: Of the total occupied units of African
Americans in the United States, 52.8%
earn under $20,000 a year. A majority are renters rather than owners.
Sources of Income
Characteristics
Total Occupied Units
Tenure
Owner
Renter
Total
18,918
9,091
9,827
Wages and salaries
7,721
3,462
4,259
Social security or pensions
2,846
1,762
1,084
Welfare or SSI
2,027
406
1,621
IMPORTANCE OF CHART: The primary sources of income were
generated by wages and salaries.
Other sources include social security or pensions and welfare or SSI.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONDITIONS
Characteristics
Total Occupied Units
Tenure
Owner
Renter
With neighborhood
10,953
4,710
6,243
No problems
6,151
2,765
3,386
With problems
4,763
1,929
2,835
Crime
1,659
513
1,147
Noise
1,120
386
735
People
1,712
558
1,154
IMPORTANCE OF CHART: Crime, noise, and people were
the major factors contributing to problems
within the neighborhoods. Among the occupied units that reported
problems with
their neighborhood, a higher portion were renters.
REASONS FOR MOVE
Reasons for Leaving Previous Unit
Characteristics
Total Occupied Units
Tenure
Owner
Renter
Total
2,208
259
1,949
To establish own household
459
38
420
Needed larger house or apartment
396
50
346
Wanted better home
295
32
263
IMPORTANCE OF CHART: ¼ of those families included
in the census moved in order to establish their
own household while 1/3 of those families moved in need of a larger/better
house/apartment.
Choice of Present Neighborhood
House was most important
475
92
384
Convenient to friends/relatives
420
28
392
Convenient to job
408
39
370
Looks/design of neighborhood
348
62
285
IMPORTANCE OF CHART: A majority of families chose their
present neighborhood based on its proximity to their
job/friends/relatives or based on the looks/design of the neighborhood
itself. Nearly ¼
responded that the house was most important aspect of the decision process.
Choice of Present Home
Financial Reasons
874
140
734
Room layout/design
407
76
331
Size
346
49
298
IMPORTANCE OF CHART: Over one half of those families included
in this census chose their present home based on
financial reasons, based on the layout/design of the house, and finally
based on the size of
the house.
After reviewing the previous data, one can conclude that African American
families experience difficulties with housing.
Many chose to move into a new home based on its affordability and design.
We as students of architecture need to
familiarize ourselves with our clients, as users, and their needs.
Index | Intro | Terms | History | Vernacular Architecture | Harlem Renaissance | User Needs | Racial Segregation | Stats | Front Yard Design | References | Summary
