An Economic Perspective on Black
Hartford’s History & Future
Diane L. Smith
April 10, 2008
General Overview
•
•
•
•
Population
Income
Housing
Education
Changes in Hartford Population
200 000
100%
180 000
90%
160 000
80%
140 000
70%
120 000
60%
100 000
50%
80 000
40%
60 000
30%
40 000
20%
20 000
10%
0%
1950
1960
1970
Year
1980
1990
Proportion of Population by Race
Population by Race Over Time -- Hartford, Connecticut
Total Population
• In 1950, Hartford’s
Population was less
than 10% black.
• By 1990, the
population was 40%
black, 40% White
and 20% Hispanic.
• 2006 estimates
Hartford’s black
population at 37%
• The city has lost
more than a third of
its population since
1950
Hartford
%White
%Black
Concentration 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
Income Distribution
Median Income
Median Income by Race 1967-1980 United States
$20,000
$18,000
$16,000
$14,000
$12,000
White
$10,000
Black
$8,000
$6,000
$4,000
$2,000
Years
19
80
19
79
19
78
19
77
19
76
19
75
19
74
19
73
19
72
19
71
19
70
19
69
19
68
19
67
$-
• In general, median
income for blacks
in the US is 67% of
whites from 1967
to 1980
Income Distribution
Median Income
Median Household Incom e 2000
$60,000
$50,000
$40,000
$30,000
$20,000
$10,000
$CT
Hartford
Htfd Black
Htfd White
Htfd Hisp
• In 2000, Hartford
median income was
46% of the state’s
median. Hartford
black media was
just about equal to
the city’s level.
• 2006 Census data
estimates for CT
black median
income falling to
59% of whites;
$70K vs. $41K
Income Distribution
Poverty
• Hartford’s poverty
rate in 2006 was
32% compared to
the State’s at 8%
• 26% of Hartford
black population
lived at poverty
income levels
Poverty Rates 2006
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
CT
Hartford
Htfd Black
Htfd White
Htfd Hisp
Income Distribution
Poverty Geographically - Hartford
1990
2000
Income 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
Housing Opportunity
• Historically, blacks occupied the oldest units in the
city as well as the largest developments
D is t rib ut io n o f Oc c up ie d U nit b y N o n- W hit e He a d s o f
Ho us e ho ld b y Y e a r Ha rt f o rd 19 6 0
D is t rib ut io n o f U nit s Oc c up ie d b y N o n- W hit e He a d s o f
Ho us e ho ld b y U nit M ix
Ha rt f o rd 19 6 0
80%
60%
70%
50 %
60%
40%
50%
HTFDTOTAL
30%
No n-White
HTFDTOTAL
40%
Non-Whit e
20%
30%
10 %
20%
10%
0%
1-unit
2 units
3 -4
units
5-9
units
10 -19
units
Ho using T yp e
2 0 -4 9
units
50 +
0%
29-
30-39
40-49
50-54
Ye a r B ui l t
55-58
59-60
Housing Opportunity
• In 1960, about 25% of
Hartford’s housing
stock had been built in
the last ten years
• By 2000, only 4% of the
city’s stock had been
built in the last decade.
• Nearly one third of
Hartford’s housing was
built before 1939
Distribution of Units by Ye ar Structure Built
Hartford 1960
2%
9%
13%
59 -6 0
55-58
50 -54
4 0 -4 9
53%
3 0 -3 9
14%
29-
9%
Distribution of Units by Ye ar Structure Built
Hartford 2000
1%
1%2%
7%
32%
11%
9 9 -0 0
9 5-9 8
9 0 -9 4
8 0 -8 9
70 -79
6 0 -6 9
15%
50 -59
4 0 -4 9
39-
15%
16%
Housing Opportunity
• More than half of
Hartford’s 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.
Distribution of Units by Unit Mix
Hartford 1960
4% 2%
6%
9%
1-unit
2 units
3 -4 units
5-9 units
11%
57%
10 -19 units
2 0 -4 9 units
50 +
11%
Distribution of Units by Unit Mix
Hartford 2000
11%
19 %
10 %
1-unit
2 units
3 -4 units
12 %
9%
5-9 units
10 -19 units
2 0 -4 9 units
50 +
15%
24%
Housing Opportunity
Homeownership 2000
Hartford (n)
Black
White
Hispanic
Single family
6500
% Ownership
40%
43%
19%
$93,000
Median
House Value
$91,200
$97,400
$92,000
Education
• 41% of Hartford’s student enrollment is black.
• Hartford’s 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 don’t have a high school diploma.
Education
Hartford Expenditures
• Hartford’s 2007-08 budget includes
$261MM for education. A total of 51% of its
general fund budget
The 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