Washington Heights

To enhance our proposal and effectively prepare for the focus group, our team conducted thorough research on the Washington Heights community, considering its unique characteristics, needs, and leveraging statistical insights.

Income

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 (UChicago Medicine, 2022). 

Race and Ethnicity

Black or African American individuals make up the majority of the racial distribution around Percy L Julian High School. 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 (SMAP, 2022). 

Education Level

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 (SMAP, 2022). 

Housing

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 (DePaul, 2022).