attractive to young black families because of its strong housing market.
“The real estate market is more wide open; African Americans have a lot more choices,” says Hill, who bought a home for around $250,000 in 1998. “It’s not as segregated. African Americans can move anywhere they feel.” He does admit to missing the cultural diversity found in Cleveland but says Columbus is quickly becoming more cosmopolitan. “The city is becoming more diverse and has a lot more activities that are multicultural,” he notes.
The fact that Columbus has several high-profile African Americans in local government is also a draw for black residents, Hill believes. Columbus, a city in which African Americans only constitute about 25% of the total population, has a black mayor, police chief, fire chief, and city schools superintendent. “I think it’s definitely a symbol of the potential opportunities that exist here,” surmises Hill.
—Christina Morgan
8
MEMPHIS, TN
Situated on the Lower Chickasaw Bluff above the Mississippi river, Memphis is home to the blues, the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies, and 397,702 African Americans who make up 61% of the total population—the third highest black percentage of the top 10.
“Memphis evolved from a racially segregated city to an urban metropolis with an African American majority,” says Mayor Willie W. Herenton. In 1991, the Memphis native made history as the city’s first elected black mayor. Last October, he attained another historical triumph by becoming the city’s first mayor elected to a fourth consecutive term. African Americans occupy local government, including seven of 13 city council posts.
“Bluff City” is best known as a manufacturer of textiles, heating equipment, and automobile and truck parts. It’s also a major transportation center, serving as FedEx’s headquarters and a Northwest Airlines hub. These features, Herenton says, help create employment opportunities. Unfortunately, they’re not enough.
Although future job growth looks bright—19.2%—recent job growth appears bleak at -0.8%. The black unemployment rate—11.3%—is above the national average for African Americans and the total U.S. population. Memphis is near the bottom of BE’s list with a median black household income of $31,417 and just 24.3% of black households earning above $50,000.
What makes Memphis appealing? Affordable housing. Black homeownership at 57% is above the national average, and second only to Birmingham, Alabama. The average price for a new home is $183,095, the lowest next to Houston. Memphis’ cost of living is the lowest among the top 10 and its medical cost index is well below the national average.
Of note, Memphis and Atlanta were the only cities where respondents reported positive African American community/local law enforcement relationships. However, Memphians were dissatisfied with public safety given an exceedingly high violent crime rate.
Although Memphis has the lowest pupil/teacher ratio of the top 10 at 14.2, it has the worst record for African Americans holding high school diplomas at 69.6%. Not surprisingly, respondents are dissatisfied with the quality of public schools. Having worked in the city school system as a teacher, principal, and superintendent of schools, Herenton reiterates his commitment to improving the education system. —A.I.J.
Main Industries
Healthcare, biomedical