Thanks for this article. I think there were a couple of other factors that played a role in the decrease of Black population in CH between '60-'80. As a native Chapel Hillian who was in elementary school in 1960 I have thought about this topic myself over the years. My thoughts are that a number of changes impacted the demographics of CH, in large part by bringing into town many Whites who were originally from outside of the area. RTP opened in 1960. By around 1965 the influx of people from outside of CH was really noticeable. These new people were almost entirely white. Around the same time, with the passage of the Civil Rts Acts and the end of segregated schools, and, in addition, the advent of widespread use of air conditioning, I believe that CH became a more "acceptable" place for non-southern whites to move. By 1980 widespread air travel allowed people to move here who could work from anywhere and used Chapel Hill as their home base. Chapel Hill changed from the "village" of my childhood to a place to which wealthier people came from throughout the country- Most of these people being White.
Anne makes a good observation. Percentages, while useful in comparing apples to apples, don't tell the whole story.
In your reference, 2010 Chapel Hill Data Book, Demographics, it notes that the total number of Black residents of Chapel Hill actually grew from 3,947 in 1980 to 5,930 in 2010.
But the number of whites grew much, much faster during that time period, from 27,690 in 1980 to 41,641 in 2010 (around 7x faster), presumably these were mostly outsiders who arrived.
Then from 2010 to 2019 (as per the U S Census) the Black population grew to 6,981 (an increase of about 1,000) as compared to growth in the white population which increased to 45,924 (an increase of almost 4,300).
Thanks for this article. I think there were a couple of other factors that played a role in the decrease of Black population in CH between '60-'80. As a native Chapel Hillian who was in elementary school in 1960 I have thought about this topic myself over the years. My thoughts are that a number of changes impacted the demographics of CH, in large part by bringing into town many Whites who were originally from outside of the area. RTP opened in 1960. By around 1965 the influx of people from outside of CH was really noticeable. These new people were almost entirely white. Around the same time, with the passage of the Civil Rts Acts and the end of segregated schools, and, in addition, the advent of widespread use of air conditioning, I believe that CH became a more "acceptable" place for non-southern whites to move. By 1980 widespread air travel allowed people to move here who could work from anywhere and used Chapel Hill as their home base. Chapel Hill changed from the "village" of my childhood to a place to which wealthier people came from throughout the country- Most of these people being White.
You make some good points. Thank you for adding to the discussion.
Anne makes a good observation. Percentages, while useful in comparing apples to apples, don't tell the whole story.
In your reference, 2010 Chapel Hill Data Book, Demographics, it notes that the total number of Black residents of Chapel Hill actually grew from 3,947 in 1980 to 5,930 in 2010.
But the number of whites grew much, much faster during that time period, from 27,690 in 1980 to 41,641 in 2010 (around 7x faster), presumably these were mostly outsiders who arrived.
Then from 2010 to 2019 (as per the U S Census) the Black population grew to 6,981 (an increase of about 1,000) as compared to growth in the white population which increased to 45,924 (an increase of almost 4,300).