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MEMORANDUM
Date: April 19, 2023
Subject: Research on Washington Heights
Zip codes: 60620, 60628, and 60643
Introduction
In this memo, we aim to investigate Washington Heights, where Percy L Julian High School is located. Specifically, we compile information of income, race and ethnicity, education level, and housing of the neighborhood and speculate their impacts on residents and students at Percy L Julian High School.
We want to explore numeric statistics that can be used to draw conclusions regarding the economic, political, and social factors impacting the area. Income can show the disparity between Chicago’s economic prosperity and that of Washington Heights. Additionally, by exploring race and ethnicity, we can examine the systemic and institutionalized oppression in the area. Third, education level can relate to numerous benefits such as crime rates, inclination for further studies, and economic prosperity. Last, we are going to examine housing, specifically foreclosure filing activities, to better understand the economic struggles within the area.
Income
Figure 1 represents the disparity of median household income between the Washington Heights neighborhood and Chicago. It is clear that Washington Heights is an impoverished area. Washington Heights median household income of $46,848 compared to Chicago’s median household income of $53,006. Since Washington Heights has a lower household median income, they are at the lower quartile of Chicago’s income distribution, which may suggest that there are fewer economic opportunities in this area. Besides, this income disparity could be indicative of systemic or structural factors that contribute to economic inequality and limited opportunities for these residents.
Figure 1
Source: U Chicago Medicine Community Profile: Washington Heights
Race and Ethnicity
Figure 2 presents the race and ethnic distribution around the Washington Heights neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois. It is clear that Black or African American individuals make up the majority of the racial distribution around Percy L Julian High School. This allows us to make reasonable conjectures given the potential disadvantages that a neighborhood with high African American concentration may face. For instance, systemic racism and institutionalized oppression may have far-reaching effects on the residents, potentially leading to families with lower education levels, incomes, as well as different inequalities that are specific to them. We explore some of these metrics, including education level and household income, in Figures 3 and 5.
Education Level
Figure 3 presents the education level distribution around the Washington Heights neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois. Notice that the overall education level of this neighborhood improves over time. Since the 1990s, “High School Graduate Only” and “Some College” make up the majority of the population. The percentage of “BA or Higher Education” increases over time, while the percentage of “Not HS Graduate” diminished significantly since the 1960s. It is reasonable to speculate that with the improved education level, the neighborhood could enjoy the positive externalities of higher education, such as a lower crime rate. Besides, a more educated neighborhood could provide students at Percy L. Julian High School with a better study environment and could promote their inclination to further their studies, facilitating a virtuous circle.
Housing
Figure 4 shows the distribution of foreclosure filing activities for all residential properties in Washington Heights compared to Chicago. Foreclosure is a process that begins when a borrower fails to make their mortgage payments, so this could mean that numerous families/residents were unable to pay their mortgage on time. Washington Heights has a larger percentage (32.8%) of foreclosed properties compared to Chicago (21.5%). This could be due to a number of factors including: minimal salary, medical expenses, increased property taxes, food prices, or education costs. Chicago has a smaller average foreclosure filing activity, meaning that Washington Heights is one of the areas in the upper quartile of Chicago’s foreclosure filing activity rate.
Figure 4
Conclusion
In this data assignment, we aimed to explore the social, political, and economic factors that are impacting Washington Heights. We were able to compile a comprehensive understanding of the community and neighborhood of Percy L. Julian High School.
In particular, we found that the median household income in Washington Heights was significantly less than the median household income of Chicago. This income disparity may signal that there are systemic or structural factors that are contributing to this economic inequality and limiting the opportunities available to the residents of this area.
As for the racial and ethnic distribution of Washington Heights, a significant finding was that a vast majority of the residents that occupy the neighborhood are Black or African American. According to the 2016-2020 Chicago Community Area Data, Black and African American residents account for roughly 96% of the total population in Washington Heights.
Additionally, the education level has improved since the 1960s that “High School Graduate Only” and “Some College” make up the majority of the population, while the percentage of “BA or Higher” steadily increases. This trend of improving education level could lead to a variety of social benefits, such as lower crime rate, better skills and greater self-advocacy, and higher economic growth.
Finally, we found that Washington Heights has a significantly higher foreclosure filing activity rate compared to Chicago. This means that numerous residents were unable to pay their mortgages on time due to factors such as, but not limited to, medical expenses, minimal economic opportunities, food prices, and/or education costs.
These findings all provide valuable insights into the various factors that shape Washington Heights as a neighborhood, and can equip our group with the necessary tools to better understand and help the students of Percy L. Julian High School.
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