Chinatown has a long history of immigrant households. The scattered tenements were considered affordable housing for the immigrants moving in. But over the last twenty years, gentrification has caused Chinatown’s population to shrink. In addition, the white American population has grown while the Asian population has steadily declined.
As shown in this chart, the Asian population from 1990-2000 increased 15% but then decreased 11% in 2000-2010. This indicates that Asian families have been moving out of Chinatown for the last ten years. To replace them have been White Americans whose population decreased from 1990-2000 by 12%, and then rapidly increased by 19% from 2000-2010.
How does this support gentrification? According to the US Census Bureau, White Americans on average have a higher income, which is consistent with the rising costs of living in Chinatown, a common effect of gentrification.
This chart shows a considerable income gap between white Americans and the other ethnicities. White Americans in Chinatown had an average income of $35,904 in 2000 and then $58, 265 compared to Asians having an income of 31,368 and then dropping to 29,524 in 2000 and 2006 respectively. As the rents increase in Chinatown, the Asian households, whose have lower incomes, are forced to move out while the high income of White Americans help them move in and pay for the higher rent.
Here, we interviewed a Chinese resident who speaks about witnessing White Americans moving in and higher rents. (Note, this audio cannot play in Internet Explorer or Firefox. Please use Google Chrome.)
Another important aspect of gentrification is the decline of family households in favor of households of young professionals. This explains the shrinking population of Chinatown because the multi-generational families commonly associated with immigrants are being forced out by young professionals with higher incomes.
This chart indicates a shift from family households to non-family households. In family households have decreased while non family households have been on the rise.
Also, according to the chart, the 17 and below demographic, a usual trait of multi-generational family households, has declined. The 18-24 and 24-64 demographics have grown at a higher rate.
Gentrification is alive and well in Chinatown. The changes in demographics are in-line with the effects of gentrification. The family households and immigrants are moving out, and to take their place are young high income, usually white, professionals.
Here, we interviewed two white residents about their experiences living in Chinatown. The first resident speaks about seeing younger people moving in. (Note, this audio cannot play in Internet Explorer or Firefox. Please use Google Chrome.)
The second resident talks more about family life. (Note, this audio cannot play in Internet Explorer or Firefox. Please use Google Chrome.)
