What is The Blackest City in America?

Which American city can lay claim to being the blackest city in America? The United States is a country that is composed of many diverse cultures. There are a vast array of cities, each with its own unique personality.  However, when it comes to diversity, few cities can match the cultural melting pot that is New York City or Los Angeles.

But what about when it comes to blackness?

The answer may surprise you. According to a recent study, the blackest city in America is…drumroll please…South Fulton, Georgia! (Not Atlanta)

While New York may have the biggest Black population in terms of numbers, South Fulton has the biggest population in terms of percentages.

Why Atlanta is not the Blackest City in America

Believe it or not, from 2000 to 2020, cities like New York, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, New Orleans, and many more with enormous Black populations have seen a major decrease in Black residents. They are NOT the blackest city in America and neither is Atlanta!

Atlanta (a population of about 500K), used to be the city with a Black majority is now seeing a shift in the population as well. Atlanta is still a black mecca in a lot of regards but it lost its majority in 2021 and was at 47% black. It was at 61% black in 2000 and then shrank to 54% in 2010.  This is due to significant gentrification and also from 2000-2006 the proportion of white in Atlanta’s population grew faster than ANY other city! This give you an idea of the speed of gentrification that is happening in Atlanta.

Why Metro Atlanta is not the Blackest City in America

However, if you look at the 6.1M total population of Metro Atlanta which includes 29 counties, the black population represented approximately 36% of that which is about 2.2M.  In 2000 the black population in Metro Atlanta was 1.1M so over the course of 20 years we have seen 1M additional black people come to Metro Atlanta. This is a 100% increase which has actually lead Metro-Atlanta to now be majority non-white.   However, the black population is still a little over 1/3 of the total population of Metro Atlanta.

The New Young City of South Fulton

South Fulton is a suburb of Atlanta and was incorporated in 2017. It is the most recent city to be created in Georgia and is one of the youngest cities in America.  

Despite its youth, South Fulton has already made a name for itself as a progressive city. With a population of 92% Black residents, South Fulton’s rise to becoming the blackest city in America is a fascinating story. It’s a story of demographic shifts, economic opportunities, and community pride.

This Black mecca has an incredibly impressive homeowner rate of nearly 70% and higher than average medium income of around $56,000.

The mayor khalid kamau (it’s lower-cased on purpose) comes from Yoruba tradition and became well-known as an advocate for working poor, women, LGBT individuals, and the environment. His slogans, “America’s Blackest City” and “Black on Purpose,” have become rallying cries for a new generation of Black Americans who are embracing their racial identity and demanding to be heard.

But not everyone sees it this way. There have been concerns from a large group of South Fulton’s citizens that this mindset is driving away opportunities, business, and progress. With an incredibly high tax rate, lack of quality schools. With the only full-care hospital closing down, and a lack of good jobs. Some residents feel that the city’s focus on blackness is coming at the expense of economic development.

With some residents feeling that the city is not living up to its potential. Many are considering leaving, citing that other cities offer more amenities for the same tax base.

But for the majority of the city. They are committed to Black excellence and determined to make South Fulton the best city it can be.

What the Future Holds for the Blackest City in America

Despite the hiccups of being a new city. The future of South Fulton is still bright. Residents are proud of their community and its young history. They are fighting for their city, and they are determined to make it a success. Only time will tell if South Fulton can live up to its potential and become a model for other Black communities across America.

Do you think all the struggles that come with making a city “Black on Purpose” is worth it? Did the Blackest City in America surprise you?

Some additional facts to consider about Atlanta’s Black Population

Both Metro Atlanta (population of about 6 million) and Atlanta proper (population of about 500,000) have seen interesting shifts. 

During the previous two decades, Atlanta’s metro area has seen a 67% increase in Black people. The proportion of whites in the city’s population grew faster between 2000 and 2006 than that of any other U.S. city. In Fulton County, Atlanta’s Black population decreased while the number of Black people in South Fulton doubled. Now in 2022 it looks like it is hovering around 33% black (I am really hoping this is a mistake by  Metro Atlanta Chamber  but this is what they said!!)