Some of the Most Elite Predominantly Black Communities in America (2024)

Hit television shows about Black elite life like Our Kind of People, Harlem and The Real Housewives of Potomac have given us a once-a-week peek into the living rooms, backyards and playgrounds of the melanated, moneyed set. This spotlight on well-heeled Black professionals, business owners and their heirs has piqued interest in the lifestyles of the Black elite. Where do the wealthiest Black people find and invest in community? What are some of the most affluent Black enclaves in America, and what is it really like to live in them?

All-Black neighborhoods proliferated due to race-based restrictive housing laws, which forced Blacks who had the money to buy homes to cluster in distinct areas. Even the rich were redlined, resulting in elite Black communities that still thrive today. Los Angeles County has a few affluent neighborhoods, most notably Baldwin Hills, a Black celebrity haven dubbed “The Black Beverly Hills.” There’s also Prince George’s County, Maryland, and the influential Black suburb of Washington, D.C., that’s featured on The Real Housewives of Potomac, and we can’t forget the arts hamlet of Harlem, in New York City, glamorized on the hit Starz drama Run the World. Other bougie enclaves we’ll explore include Olympia Fields, Illinois. Some honorable mentions: Cedar Hills, Texas, and Wheatley Heights and Hillcrest, New York.

Some of the Most Elite Predominantly Black Communities in America (1)

Tara Pixley

View Park–Windsor Hills,Los Angeles County, California


History: View Park–Windsor Hills is one of the richest Black communities in the U.S. and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It is also producer-actor Issa Rae’s hometown and the inspiration for her HBO drama Insecure, about Black L.A. single life. On the show, Rae intentionally features the sexy and chic side of L.A.’s Black neighborhoods.

Neighborhood vibe: Besides the stunning downtown views, this tranquil and low-key hillside nabe also boasts “a cornucopia of architectural styles,” says longtime resident Steven Lott, an architect and managing principal at Raw International.

What locals love: Lott appreciates its association with the vibrant cultural arts of the adjacent Black village of Leimert Park, as well as its own rich heritage: It was the site of the Olympic Village during the 1932 Olympics.

Local hot spot: Simply Wholesome is a Black-owned casual health-food restaurant and market where you might just spot a celebrity. (simplywholesome.com)

Well-known residents, past and present: Doria Ragland, mother of Meghan, duch*ess of Sussex; Debbie Allen; Ray Charles; Ike Turner; Tina Turner; Nancy Wilson; Regina King; Issa Rae

All-Black neighborhoods proliferated due to race-based restrictive housing laws, which forced Blacks who had the money to buy homes to cluster in distinct areas. Even the rich were redlined, resulting in elite Black communities that still thrive today.

Baldwin Hills, Los Angeles County, California


History: Baldwin Hills is the largest middle- and upper-class Black community in Los Angeles. Dubbed “The Black Beverly Hills” because of the actors and musicians who have flocked to it, the community found itself in the spotlight with the BET docudrama Baldwin Hills in 2007.

Neighborhood vibe: It’s a friendly and quiet communityknown for its spectacular views of the ocean, downtown and snow-capped mountains,” says Sheila Coates, a brand strategist and owner of BYOB (byobunlimited.com), who has owned her home for 27 years.

What locals love: The rich cultural mix of homeowners that include famous entertainers, politicians, executives and entrepreneurs. Also, the closeness to downtown, LAX, Beverly Hills and the beaches. “We are walking distance to Kenneth Hahn State Park’s hiking trails, bike-to-the-beach paths and stunning scenic overlooks,” says Coates.

Local hot spot: Black-owned Post & Beam features an upscale take on soul food. Diners may spot a celeb or CEO. (postandbeamla.com)

Well-known residents, past and present: Ice Cube, the King of Gospel James Cleveland, former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley and musician Lenny Kravitz, who grew up here

Ladera Heights, Los Angeles County, California


History: Also with stunning views, it shares a border on the north with Baldwin Hills, on the east with View Park and on the south with Inglewood.

Neighborhood vibe: Doris Henderson, a retired teacher, and her husband, Franklin, an electrical engineer, originally chose this quiet, picturesque neighborhood 48 years ago.

What locals love: “Our neighbors care not only for their homes and their beautiful neighborhood, but deeply for each other,” says Doris Henderson. She adds that the couple can’t imagine how they would have made it through the COVID-19 lockdown without the help of their loving neighbors.

Local hot spot: Eat and dance at The New Townhouse, a Black-owned restaurant and nightclub. (thenewtownhousela.com)

Well-known residents, past and present: Vanessa Williams, WNBA’s Lisa Leslie, attorney Christopher Darden and rapper Tyler, the Creator

The residents are friendly and welcoming. They wave to passing cars, and the people in the passing cars wave back.

Olympia Fields, Illinois, resident Koku Tona

Mitchellville and Woodmore, Prince George’s County, Maryland


History: Mitchellville is named after the owners of the plantation that it was built on. Today, tobacco farms are replaced by a thriving Black residential community. Overlapping Woodmore is one of the premier gated communities in the Washington, D.C., suburbs. Built around the Country Club at Woodmore, the community has upscale single-family homes within six themed villages.

Neighborhood vibe: The area is clean and quiet, with tree-lined streets, sprawling green spaces and a championship golf course. It is home to sports stars, CEOs and entrepreneurs. The drama-full ladies of The Real Housewives of Potomac have drawn attention to PG County, showing us that extra-large homes, luxury cars, and designer clothes and shoes are the norm for some here. “Living here definitely has prestige,” says George DuBose III, a Realtor and a 24-year resident.

What locals love: “We have large, stunning homes here along with a country club, a signature Arnold Palmer Golf Course, clay tennis courts, swimming pools, manicured and pristine lawns, and long driveways,” says DuBose. Attorney and community activist Marva Jo Campo points to “the sense of belonging, a pride in our culture, a self-awareness that my daughters have because of living here that can take them anywhere in the world.”

Local hot spot: Milk & Honey Express is a Black-owned brunch spot in nearby Glenarden. (milkandhoneyexpress.com)

Well-known residents, past and present: American ballet dancer, activist and actress Sydney Magruder Washington; Minnesota Lynx guard Lindsay Allen; D.C. United defender Chris Odoi-Atsem; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Chris Lykes; and entrepreneur and restaurant chain owner Lance London

Kettering, Prince Georges County, Maryland


History: An Upper Marlboro, mostly middle-class Black enclave, Kettering is a mix of modest-sized homes and townhomes.

Neighborhood vibe: It’s safe, quiet, family-friendly and affordable.When I moved here the homes were affordable and still are, relative to the D.C. market,” says Van Glenn, a federal government human resources executive.

What locals love: “My neighbors are all friendly, and we know each other and look out for one another. It’s very convenient to everything in the area with easy access to the metro and the beltway [to get] into D.C. quickly,” says Glenn.

Local hot spot: The old BET soundstage has been transformed into Jasper’s Restaurant, a lively place for brunch in Largo, Maryland, one mile from Kettering. (jaspersrestaurants.com)

Well-known residents, past and present: Not many. The area is favored by low-key Washington, D.C., government employees.

Some of the Most Elite Predominantly Black Communities in America (3)

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Harlem, New York City


History: Harlem has been a creative mecca since the 1920s and ’30s Harlem Renaissance. Today Harlem is an art and fashion mecca. The fiercely fashionable Starz show Run the World is filmed on its streets, styled by icon Patricia Field (Sex and the City). And during New York Fashion Week last year, Harlem’s Fashion Row’s summit attracted fashion’s elite like Anna Wintour; designers Tom Ford and Tommy Hilfiger; and Harlem native, Bevelations author, and radio and television host Bevy Smith.

Neighborhood vibe: “The Black Harlem experience is my experience, even with gentrification,” says Smith. “Black art, culture, museums, fashion — it’s all here. Harlem is the cornerstone of Black America.” You'll find folks from all walks of life here. While buyers are snapping up row houses to renovate, most residents are renters, and there is a high density of public housing. These factors are reflected in high home prices for the urban oasis, though residents' average income is lower than the suburbs on this list.

What locals love: “The world was open to me growing up here,” says Smith. “It’s [part of] Manhattan. A few train stops away is Midtown: movies, restaurants … the world. I’ve worked in fashion, advertising, publishing, TV and radio. All of those industries are just two to three stops away.”

Local hot spot: Melba’s Harlem is Black-owned and a popular place for Sunday brunch with live music. (melbasrestaurant.com)

Well-known residents, past and present: singer Billie Holiday; writers Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes and James Baldwin; musicians Lionel Hampton, Nina Simone and Tito Puente; actor and activist Harry Belafonte; comedian George Carlin; entertainers Sammy Davis Jr. and Doug E. Fresh; actors Ving Rhames, Angela Bassett and Neil Patrick Harris; poet Maya Angelou; and celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson

Some of the Most Elite Predominantly Black Communities in America (4)

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Olympia Fields, Illinois


History: The village sprang up around the prestigious Olympia Fields Country Club. The golf course has played host to two U.S. Opens and two PGA Championships. The town train station made the community attractive to young Black professional Chicagoans.

Neighborhood vibe: “Chicago is the type of town where people move on up, but not away. My parents moved on up to the affluent Black neighborhood of Olympia Fields, 15 minutes from our old home and in the same school district, as opposed to moving away from Black people,” says Koku Tona, a journalist and media correspondent for Blackfilm.com.

What locals love: “It’s clean and safe, and it’s the type of town where people regularly take leisurely walks,” says Tona. “The residents are friendly and welcoming. They wave to passing cars, and the people in the passing cars wave back.”

Local hot spot: Cozy up to the bar at Redwood Luxe Bar and Grill and listen to live music. (redwoodluxe.com)

Well-known residents, past and present: Former NBA player and current basketball analyst Kendall Gill; former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jim Osborne; singer and producer Rudolph Isley, of the Isley Brothers; musician J. Ivy, of Kanye West fame; Alpha Kappa Alpha's 27th international president,Barbara McKinzie;and actresses Drew Sidora (The Game) and Dee Dee Davis (The Bernie Mac Show), both of whom attended high school in Olympia Fields.

Some of the Most Elite Predominantly Black Communities in America (2024)

FAQs

Some of the Most Elite Predominantly Black Communities in America? ›

In 2006, Ebony Magazine declared Prince George's County, Maryland, the wealthiest majority-Black county in America. Some of its richest residents posed for the magazine beside indoor pools and inside their wine cellars.

Where are the richest Black communities in America? ›

Some of the Most Elite Predominantly Black Communities in America
  • View Park–Windsor Hills, Los Angeles County, California.
  • Baldwin Hills, Los Angeles County, California.
  • Mitchellville and Woodmore, Prince George's County, Maryland.
  • Harlem, New York City.
  • Olympia Fields, Illinois.
Aug 12, 2022

What is the wealthiest Black county in the US? ›

In 2006, Ebony Magazine declared Prince George's County, Maryland, the wealthiest majority-Black county in America. Some of its richest residents posed for the magazine beside indoor pools and inside their wine cellars.

What city has the most Black millionaires? ›

According to a 2015 study by NerdWallet, the Atlanta area is home to about 2.1 million black owned businesses which is the highest in the nation. Established in 2005, the Atlanta Black Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to supporting and connecting black entrepreneurs in the Atlanta area.

What city has the most successful black population? ›

10 Cities Where Black Americans Are More Successful
  • Aurora, Illinois. ...
  • Pembroke Pines, Florida. ...
  • Miramar, Florida. ...
  • Charlotte, North Carolina. ...
  • 7. Garland, Texas. ...
  • Durham, North Carolina. ...
  • Enterprise, Nevada. ...
  • Elk Grove, California. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
Oct 13, 2021

Where do most Black millionaires live? ›

There are other counties where the typical Black household earns more: The highest-income Black families in the nation actually live on the western edge of the D.C. metro area in Virginia's Loudoun County, which is also home to the highest incomes overall.

What area is considered black Beverly Hills? ›

This has led neighborhoods in the Baldwin Hills — a collection of affluent wealthy and middle-class areas including Baldwin Hills Estates, Ladera Heights, Baldwin Vista, and especially View Park — to be known as “The Black Beverly Hills.”

Where are the affluent Black neighborhoods? ›

Nicknamed “Black Beverly Hills,” these suburbs lay within 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.

What is the most Black city in America? ›

SOUTH FULTON, Ga. — There has never in the history of the United States of America been anything like this five-year-old city. On the southwest outskirts of Atlanta, it is a mostly suburban municipality with a population of some 108,000 of which nine of every 10 of the residents are Black.

What is the most Black town in the US? ›

List
CityStateBlack alone %
JacksonMississippi78.86%
DetroitMichigan77.69%
BirminghamAlabama68.40%
Miami GardensFlorida63.50%
62 more rows

Where is the best place for a black person to live? ›

Five cities found on both lists remain: Atlanta; Charlotte, North Carolina; Dallas; Houston; and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Nashville, Tennessee, and Columbus, Ohio, represent returnees from our 2004 roster.

What is the Black capital of America? ›

This exhibition celebrates the rich and diverse culture of Harlem, New York. In the 1920s and 1930s, Harlem became a symbol of the African American struggle for civil and economic equality while emerging as a flourishing center of black culture, art and music.

What is the blackest state in America? ›

Texas has the highest Black population in the United States of 3,936,669, about 14% of Texas's total population.

What is the best city to raise a Black family? ›

March 4, 2023
  • Raleigh, North Carolina – Raleigh has a diverse population and a strong economy, with a low crime rate compared to other cities in the United States. ...
  • Seattle, Washington – Seattle has a progressive reputation and is known for its commitment to social justice and equality.
Mar 4, 2023

Where do the black elite live in Atlanta? ›

In the 1920s, Hunter Street (now Martin Luther King Drive) and Collier Heights became the black elite neighborhoods of choice, while today areas in far southwest of the city around Camp Creek Marketplace, neighborhoods such as Niskey Lake, are also popular.

What are the most Black dominated states? ›

Profile: Black/African Americans

The ten states with the largest non-Hispanic black population in 2020 were Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia.

What race in America has the most millionaires? ›

The Breakdown You Need To Know:

Specifically, Black people represent 8% of total millionaires in the U.S., 76% are white, 8% are Asian, and the Hispanic community captures 7% of the total millionaire population across the country.

Where do most Black entrepreneurs live? ›

1 ranking Austin, Texas, metro area (88.27%) and the No. 25 ranking Providence, Rhode Island, metro area (65.46%). The proportion of Black-owned businesses is more than double the national average in six areas. The Atlanta, Georgia, metro area has the highest percentage (7.42%).

What area of California is Black dominated? ›

Today, California's Black community is geographically concentrated, with most Black Californians living in Los Angeles, the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area, and Sacramento.

What are Black neighborhoods called? ›

Due to segregated conditions and widespread poverty, some black neighborhoods in the United States have been called "the ghetto" or "the projects." The use of this term is controversial and, depending on the context, potentially offensive.

What is considered Beverly Hills of Florida? ›

Beverly Hills is located in north-central Citrus County at 28°55′03″N 82°27′22″W. It is nearly surrounded by the community of Pine Ridge, except for a small area on the west where it is bordered by Black Diamond.

Where are the black hamptons? ›

Hidden away near the end of Long Island, New York, is a community where affluent African Americans, their friends, and the wannabes have secretly vacationed for more than 75 years. Unlike the bluffs of Martha's Vineyard, black folks here own five miles of prime beachfront.

What is the biggest black community? ›

Among metropolitan areas, the New York City metro area – which includes parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania – has the nation's largest single-race Black population, with roughly 3.0 million. Other top metropolitan areas include Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Chicago and Philadelphia.

What is the most affluent suburb in the US? ›

Key Findings. The Manalapan neighborhood of Florida is America's most expensive, with homes averaging $39,761,000. The neighborhood of Snowmass is Colorado's most expensive and the third most expensive in the U.S. (average $23,568,750).

What is the whitest big city in America? ›

Cities with the highest percentage of White Americans (includes White Hispanic)
CityTotal PopulationRank
Laredo, Texas261,6391
Hialeah, Florida238,9422
Corpus Christi, Texas325,7333
Boise, Idaho228,7904
9 more rows

What is the whitest state in America? ›

Geographic distribution
  • West Virginia 94.4%
  • New Hampshire 93.7%
  • Wyoming 92.0%
  • Montana 90.9%
  • Idaho 90.2%
  • Iowa 89.8%
  • North Dakota 88.0%
  • Kentucky 87.5%

What is the oldest Black city in America? ›

Eatonville, Florida, is the oldest black-incorporated municipality in the United States. Incorporated in 1887, it is the first town successfully established by African American freedmen.

Who is the first Black millionaire? ›

Madam C.J.

Walker (1867-1919), who started life as a Louisiana sharecropper born to formerly enslaved parents in 1867, is usually cited as the first Black millionaire.

What is an all Black town? ›

What were All-Black towns? All-Black towns were towns where African Americans lived freely from racism and other prejudices found in communities across the Midwest and the South.

What is the blackest place in the world? ›

Using 11 million photometers from 44 of the darkest places, the study concluded that Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, also located in the Canary Islands, is the darkest place on Earth.

Which US city has the best quality of life? ›

Topping the 2023-24 list: Green Bay, Wisconsin. The magazine called Green Bay "The perfect mix of big-city amenities complemented with a Midwestern, small-town feel."

What cities have the most successful black men? ›

This is shown as the top HBCUs reside in Georgia, Washington DC, North Carolina, and Maryland.
  1. Washington, DC. Coming in first place is Washington, DC! ...
  2. Atlanta, GA. Atlanta is awarded second place for the best cities for Black professionals with a final score of 69.22! ...
  3. San Antonio, TX. ...
  4. Houston, TX. ...
  5. Dallas, TX.
Feb 17, 2022

What race is the poorest in the United States? ›

The US Census declared that in 2014 14.8% of the general population lived in poverty: As of 2010 about half of those living in poverty are non-Hispanic white (19.6 million). Non-Hispanic white children comprised 57% of all poor rural children.

What city is the center of black culture? ›

Atlanta is the capital of Black American culture in the United States. A thriving hub for food, entertainment, art, and nightlife, Atlanta leads the U.S. cities with Black history and culture.

Is Atlanta no longer majority black? ›

60% of the city's area consists of predominantly black neighborhoods: together, Northwest, Southwest, and Southeast Atlanta are 92% black. there are some areas that are predominantly white, notably Buckhead and Northeast Atlanta (NPUs F and N) which are on average 80% white.

What city in Florida has the largest Black population? ›

Details: The largest chunk of Black immigrants here live in South Florida — roughly 490,000 people in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-West Palm Beach area.

What state has the most Mexicans? ›

In 2021, California had the highest Hispanic population in the United States, with over 15.75 million people claiming Hispanic heritage.

What city has the lowest Black population? ›

1. El Paso, Texas
  • White: 90.2%
  • Black: 3.7%
  • American Indian or Alaska Native: 0.5%
  • Asian: 1.7%
  • Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.2%
Jan 22, 2020

Which state has the most Black cities? ›

According to the latest data, Texas holds the highest ranking in terms of black population, with approximately 3.55 million black residents. Following closely behind are Georgia and Florida, with around 3.32 million and 3.25 million black residents, respectively.

Where do most blacks live in North Carolina? ›

Princeville, is the only incorporated “all black” town in North Carolina. It is a suburb lying on the east side of the river and most of its inhabitants work in nearby Tarboro.

What is the average wealth of Black families? ›

The average net worth among Black households rose to more than $340,000 through the third quarter of last year from the end of 2019, marking an increase of 32% over just 11 quarters, according to research from Wells Fargo using data from the Federal Reserve Board.

What is the richest Black community in Georgia? ›

For decades, Prince George's County has carried the unique distinction of the country's wealthiest majority Black county, but data now shows that title belongs to neighboring Charles County.

Where do middle class blacks live in Atlanta? ›

Black families in Atlanta prefer to live in mostly black enclaves such as south DeKalb, south Fulton and Clayton counties. Many blacks now live in Atlanta's suburbs, where they can get more house for their money, rather than the city.

What part of Atlanta is the richest? ›

The Buckhead neighborhood is the richest and whitest part of Atlanta. For the last couple years, some residents there have been pushing for it to become its own separate city. And it wouldn't be the first community in the Atlanta area to declare cityhood.

What state has the highest white population? ›

The states with the highest overall white populations are California (28,409,288), Texas (22,819,758), Florida (16,602,290), and New York (13,539,678). This is likely because these are the four most populous states in the U.S., and over three-quarters of the country's overall population is white.

What state has the least minorities? ›

1. Maine
  • White: 90.2%
  • Two or more races: 3.9%
  • Hispanic or Latino: 2.0%
Aug 23, 2021

Where is the largest Black community in the US? ›

The New York metropolitan area has the largest Black metropolitan population.

Where is the best place for Black American to live? ›

1. Atlanta. You can't mention one of the best cities for Black people and not mention Atlanta, Even though the ratio “may ” be slightly lopsided with regards to the ratio of single women to men, it should still be high on your list as a favorite for Black singles.

What is the blackest neighborhood in America? ›

List
CityStateBlack %
South FultonGeorgia93.26%
JacksonMississippi80.45%
DetroitMichigan80.38%
BirminghamAlabama69.82%
62 more rows

Which state has the most successful African American? ›

According to this inaugural study from FitSmallBusiness.com, the digital business publication, half of the best states for African American entrepreneurs are concentrated in the south, with Georgia topping the charts.

Where is the oldest black community in America? ›

Pocahontas Island's large free black residential community is the oldest in the nation and its commercial center developed into a destination for the state's free blacks.

What is the blackest major city? ›

SOUTH FULTON, Ga. — There has never in the history of the United States of America been anything like this five-year-old city. On the southwest outskirts of Atlanta, it is a mostly suburban municipality with a population of some 108,000 of which nine of every 10 of the residents are Black.

What is the whitest town in America? ›

Hialeah, Florida is the whitest city in the United States with 92.6% of its population identifying as White. The non-Hispanic white population, however, is only 2.57%. By 2045, the United States will become minority white according to the Census.

What US state is most like Africa? ›

We'll cut to the chase: The title of "closest US state to Africa" belongs to Maine and, specifically, a peninsula called Quoddy Head. Its quaint, little lighthouse, the Quoddy Head Light, is located at the easternmost point of the United States. It's also the point closest to Africa, about 3,154 miles from El Beddouza.

Who was the first Black female millionaire? ›

Madam C.J. Walker — an entrepreneur, philanthropist and activist — became the first Black woman millionaire in America. She was born Sarah Breedlove on Dec. 23, 1867, on a Louisiana plantation to formerly enslaved parents.

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