Racial changes in the Central Area

African Americans leaving the neighborhood

Areas within the Central Area saw dramatic declines in the number of African Americans from 1980 to 2000. In some blocks the black population went from more than 90 percent to less than 25 percent, especially around Garfield High and near the intersection of 23rd and East Union. These maps show the African-American population for each block in 1980 and 2000. The neighborhood boundaries are based on census tracts that contain the core of the Central Area. However, some blocks along Lake Washington and those north of Madison are typically not considered part of the neighborhood.

Note: The 2000 numbers for African Americans include multiracial blacks.

Source: Seattle Times analysis of census data by Justin Mayo, database specialist.

THE SEATTLE TIMES