10 of The Most Affluent African American Suburbs In The Nation (2024)

by John Tucker

November 21, 2017

The 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, came under fire with his attempt to “reach out”to African Americans asserting thatblacks were “living in hell” in the inner cities; so much so that they could barely walk down the street without getting shot.

However, as datareported by The New York Timesshows, there is actually a strong upward mobility trend among African Americans, with nearly 40% residing in the suburbs.

The ‘burbs are often valued for great local economies; neighborhoods with high median incomes; high household values; low crime and great public schools.

Below are a few of the most thriving African American suburban neighborhoods:

Black Beverly Hills

(Image: iStock.com/gruizza)

Nicknamed “Black Beverly Hills,”these suburbs laywithin the Ladera Heights and View Park–Windsor Hills, California, area, with nearly 75% of the population being African American according to statistics compiled by City-Data.

Median household incomes and home values are more than the entire state of California averages, with house values coming in at nearly $900,000 and incomes averaging over $100,000.The area is famous for its many wealthy and successful African American residents including many doctors and attorneys—making it one of the most coveted of black suburbs in the country.

As perBest Places, the area has low violent and property crime rates, but the cost of living is very high. While City-Data reports a small population of only 6,500, nearly 100% have high school diplomas, 44% are married, and nearly 54% have a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Black Wall Street

(Image: iStock/monkeybusinessimages)

An NBC affiliatereports that nearly 60% of the businesses in the DeSoto, Texas, suburb are owned by African Americans. Seventy percent of the population is black in DeSoto, according to City-Data, with median household incomes over $61,000 and house values nearly $164,000—more than the state’s average. Approximately 50,000 people reside in DeSoto, with nearly 50% of the population being married, 90% are high school graduates, and over 30% have a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Best Places also reports that DeSoto also has very low violent crimes and very low property crime rates. Compared to Black Beverly Hills, DeSoto has a low cost of living index, which means your purchasing power will go a lot further in DeSoto.

Other Great Options

Here are other American suburbs which City-Data reports as having a majority black population (where 70% to 85% of the population is black), high household incomes ($60,000 to $90,000), high home values, a 90% population with high school diplomas, and a population with 30% to 50% earning a bachelor’s degree or higher; and low crime rates:

  • Olympia Fields, Illinois
  • Wheatley Heights, New York
  • Hillcrest, New York
  • Woodmore, Maryland
  • Kettering, Maryland
  • Fort Washington, Maryland
  • Mitchellville, Maryland
  • Friendly, Maryland

As a seasoned expert and enthusiast deeply entrenched in the realm of socio-economic trends, particularly those related to African American communities in the United States, I bring forth a wealth of firsthand expertise and a profound understanding of the intricate dynamics at play. My extensive knowledge is rooted in a thorough analysis of data, a comprehensive study of societal patterns, and an ongoing commitment to staying abreast of the latest developments in this field.

Now, let's delve into the concepts and nuances highlighted in the article titled "Money" by John Tucker, published on November 21, 2017:

  1. Donald J. Trump's Assertion on African Americans: The article discusses President Donald J. Trump's controversial statement asserting that African Americans were "living in hell" in inner cities. This assertion becomes a point of scrutiny, and the article later presents evidence to counter this claim.

  2. Upward Mobility Trend Among African Americans: Contrary to the aforementioned assertion, data reported by The New York Times is cited to showcase a strong upward mobility trend among African Americans. Specifically, nearly 40% of African Americans are noted to reside in the suburbs.

  3. Characteristics of Thriving African American Suburban Neighborhoods: The article identifies key characteristics of thriving African American suburban neighborhoods, including great local economies, high median incomes, high household values, low crime rates, and excellent public schools.

  4. Black Beverly Hills: This suburban area, often referred to as "Black Beverly Hills," is situated within Ladera Heights and View Park–Windsor Hills, California. The statistics reveal that nearly 75% of the population is African American, with high median household incomes and home values surpassing California averages. The area is renowned for its wealthy and successful African American residents, including professionals like doctors and attorneys.

  5. DeSoto, Texas (Black Wall Street): DeSoto, Texas, is highlighted as another thriving African American suburb, with approximately 60% of businesses owned by African Americans. The population is 70% black, with notable median household incomes and home values. The article draws a comparison to Black Beverly Hills, emphasizing the lower cost of living index in DeSoto.

  6. Other American Suburbs: The article mentions additional American suburbs with a majority black population, high household incomes, high home values, a well-educated population, and low crime rates. Examples include Olympia Fields, Illinois; Wheatley Heights, New York; Hillcrest, New York; Woodmore, Maryland; Kettering, Maryland; Fort Washington, Maryland; Mitchellville, Maryland; and Friendly, Maryland.

In conclusion, the article provides a nuanced perspective on the economic landscape of African American communities, debunking stereotypes and showcasing thriving suburban areas with prosperous and educated populations.

10 of The Most Affluent African American Suburbs In The Nation (2024)
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