Top 10 Cities for African Americans to Live: Jazelle Reed

   Many African Americans struggle to find affordable communities to live that will allow them to thrive financially, acquire access to entertainment, provide good schools for their children, along with superior career and entreprenuerial opportuinites. Therefore, many studies have been conducted to determine which cities are best for African Americans in relation to these requirements. The top 10 cities are as follows;

1. Atlanta, GA
2. Washington, DC
3. Dallas, TX
4. Nashville, TN
5. Houston, TX
6. Charlotte, NC
7. Birmingham, AL
8. Memphis, TN
9. Columbus, OH
10. Baltimore, MD

According to studies, survey respondents placed a high priority on income earnings potential, cost of living, housing prices, and entrepreneurial opportunities, which explains the ranking of each of these cities. Clearly, respondents were satisfied with all of the criteria used for ranking in Atlanta, GA. However, respondents in Washington, DC expressed concern with the high cost of living. Washington’s cost of living index, which is 125.4%, places it well above the national average and is the highest of all the cities on the list. Many of the city’s 120 neighborhoods are experiencing gentrification. As a result, property values are extremely high. Respondents in Dalls, TX were dissatisfied with the availability of African American enterprises, even though Dallas has a relatively high number of black residents per black business. They also were unsatisfied with their employment outlook. Nashville, TN respondents were slightly dissatisfied with overall crime in their city and community relationships between African Americans and local law enforcement. In addition, while they were satisfied with the performance of their elected officials, they were less than pleased with the level of power and influence of African Americans in the community. In Houston, TX respondents found disatistifaction with racial profiling as it was proven that approximately six of every seven law enforcement agencies searched African American and Latino motorists more than whites, following a traffic stop. Respondents in Charlotte, NC expressed dissatisfaction with the amount of black-owned businesses in the area. Birmingham, AL respondents were less than satisfied with race relations due to the city’s relatively high black/white residential segregation rate. Respondents in Memphis, TN were dissatisfied with employment and median household income. Columbus, OH respondents were dissatisfied with the level of power and influence of African Americans in their community, quality of education, and public services from schools to transit. Finally, respondents in Baltimore, MD are concerned about the quality of life in terms of the social scene, lack of quality education in public schools, and the short supply of job opportunities.