Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 27 September 2002 — Page 2

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THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27,2002

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New census data reveal major Black progress in Indianapolis

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Lawrence ($35,798) and Wash-

ington ($35,598).

Center Township had the city’s lowest Black median household income at $21,685, followed by

Perry $27,679.

Speedway’s Black median income was $30,537. It was $41,930 in the City of Lawrence. At $78,922 Fishers, not Carmel, had the highest Black median income of any major Indianapolis suburb. Carmel’s figure was $66,944. Indianapolis' Black median household income was higher than the statewide figure and other major Hoosier cities: Indiana ($29,164), Gary ($26,844), Fort Wayne ($27,213), South Bend ($25,700), Evansville ($20,503), Muncie ($21,978), Kokomo ($30,088), Terre Haute ($ 18,705). Poverty foils among African Americans The 2000 Census was the first conducted after the advent of welfare reform, and the sharp reduction in Indiana's welfare rolls. But, the number of Black individuals living below the federal poverty level declined slightly by 4.6 percent. Just 20.4 percent of Blacks in both the city and metro area live in poverty. Black families in poverty dropped 6.3 percent; with 17.7 percent of all Black families below

the poverty level.

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Perry Township (not Center Township) has the highest percentage of Black poverty (43.4 percent), followed by Center (29,6 percent). Nearly half (46.2 percent) of all Blacks living in poverty live in Center Township; a quarter of the city’s Black poor reside in Lawrence and Washington townships. At 9 percent Pike Township has the lowest percentage of Blacks in poverty. Black employment at record highs African-American employment in Indianapolis achieved record levels. The 2000Census found that 85,364 African Americans in the city and 90,683 in the metro area were employed. Just 9,695 city and 10,334 metro residents were unemployed in 2000, a number virtually unchanged from 1990. The census reports there are nearly 15,000 more Blacks employed now than 10 years ago, a 21.3 percent increase. African Americans are by far the largest minority in the area’s workforce. According to the census, Blacks make up a fifth (19.7 percent) of Indianapolis’ employed workers; 11.2 percent of metro workers. At the same time, the number of Blacks unemployed increased by just 95 persons, or 1 percent. Black unemployment is 10.2 percent in the city and the metro. That’s among the lowest Black unemployment rates of any major AfricanAmerican community. Blacks comprise 39.5 percent of the city’s and 27.7 percent of the metro’s unemployed. Center Township had the highest Black unemployment rate at 15.7 percent followed by Perry (15.2 percent) and Warren (10.4 percent. Pike Township had the lowest Black unemployment rate at 5.5 percent, then Wayne (7.7 percent) and Washington (8 per-

cent).

Black school enrollment and college graduates up The 2000 Census reported that the number of Blacks enrolled in private elementary and high schools

in Indianapolis doubled from 2,251 to 4,725. However, over 90 percent of the city’s 50,496 Blacks enrolled in elementary and high school attend public schools; a 33.5 per-

cent increase.

Three-quarters of African-American adujts over 25 are high school graduates, an increase of 26,718 during the 1990s. The number of Black college graduates in Indianapolis rose 6,889 or

74 percent. The number earning bachelor’s degrees nearly doubled, rising 92 percent or 5,507. Afri-can-Americans earning master’s and doctoral degrees rose 40.9 percent to 4,760. Of all Black adults over 25, 13.6 percent are college graduates and 4 percent have earned post-graduate degrees. Pike Township has the highest percentage of Black high school graduates. The township also boasts the highest percentage of Blade college graduates at 28.8 percent; followed by: Washington (17.6) percent and Lawrence (17.3)

percent. Center Township has the smallest percentage of Black college graduates with

5.4 percent.

Most area Blacks live in a house;

median

value

$75,900 Over 60 per-

cent of the city’s AfricanAmerican households live in a single family dwelling according to the census. Just 16.3 percent of Black households live in apartment buildings or complexes.

The median value of homes owned by African Americans in Indianapolis is now $75,900. That’s a jump of 45.6 percent or $23,772 in median value since

1990.

At$l 19,500, PikeTownshiphas the highest median home value for Blacks; Center Township the lowest at $53,300. In the suburban counties the census reported that the median value of homes owned by Blacks in Morgan County is $350,000, the highest in the suburbs; Madison County at $64,500

is the lowest. Indy’s wealthiest and poorest neighborhoods The wealthiest Indianapolis neighborhoods are the neighborhoods east of Geist Reservoir, (median income $133,479), northern Meridian Hills (median $98,361), western Pike Township (median $85,559), northwestern Pike (median $85,093) and neighborhoods north of Fall Creek between Emerson and 1-465 (median $81,800). The poorest Indianapolis neighborhoods, all in Center Township, are neighborhoods immediately surrounding IUPUI and White River State Park (median $ 12,154), neighborhoods east of College between 21st, 1-70 and the Monon Trail (median $ 13,125), neighborhood north of IUPUI to Fall Creek and 1-65 which includes Lockfreld Gardens and the old Planner House homes (median $13,667). The neighborhoods where the wealthiest African Americans live in Indianapolis include southern Meridian Hills (Black median $ 152,388), northern Meridian Hills (Black median $125,133), northwestern Pike Township (Black median $ 102,101) and eastern Geist neighborhoods (Black median

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$102,302).

The poorest African-American neighborhoods include eastern downtown between 1-65 and 1-70/ Delaware/Washington streets (Black median $9,457), western downtown between I-65/Washing-ton/West/Delaware streets (Black median $ 10,130), the near Eastside neighborhood bounded by Washington/10th/Keystone/ Tecumseh/Hamilton streets (Black median $12,436), neighborhoods east of College between 21st, 1-70 and the Monon Trail (Black median $13,438).

Businesses, volunteers help build Habitat for Humanity home

Special to The Recorder . Indianapolis firefighters who assisted with rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero in New York City have been spending this September rebuilding part of the city's Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood. Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD) firefighters are supporting an Eastside family in making a new beginning by helping construct a Dura Builders/Delta Faucet Habi-

THE MOMNAPOUS RECORDER USPS 262-660 Published weekly by: The George P. Stewart Printing Co., Inc., P.O. Box 16499. 2901 N. Tacoma Ava., Indianapolis. IN 46218 Entersd as Second Class Matter under Act ot March 7,1870. Psrkxtcals paid at Indianapolis. IN POSTMASTER: Sand address changes to: ThfkHMtnBpoMBRtcofdtf, P O Box 18499,2901 N. Tacoma Ave.! Indianapolis. IN 46218. Subscription price by mail or carrier $39 per year. $29 for 6 mos.,75 cents per copy. National advertiaing representative Amalgamated Publishers lnc..45W 45thSt .NewYork,NY 10036 Memoer Fiatjooai ivewspapef ruonsners Association. Central Intftana Publishers Association. Hoosier State Press

BY MJUL: are not mponeMe tor replacing iaauea missed due to change of address or late renews* Ptaess sftow two wsska when placing a new eubecrtpSon or change of address order Cal (317) 924-5143

tat for Humanity International house at 2859 N. Chester St. Volunteers from Dura Builders and Delta Faucet Co. are working weekends to complete the building. The 1,750-square foot home will be larger than a traditional Habitat home and will consist of five bedrooms. Both Dura Builders and Delta Faucet have been involved with Habitat for Humanity International for several years; however, this is the first year that the two companies have partnered on a project. “For more than 30 years Dura has been committed to sharing our success with the community, and as a firm building more than 700 homes a year our support of Habitat for Humanity International is a logical extension of that commitment,” explained Dura President Paul Shoopman. “We appreciate the sense of pride and civic attachment that comes with home ownership; we witness it every day when young families move into their new Dura homes. This is our opportunity to help a family with special needs experience that same joy through our partnership with Habitat and Delta.” The Dura Builders/Delta Faucet home was part of Habitat for Humanity International’! 7* An-

nual “Building on Faith” week earlier this month. The project is intended to reflect on the tragedy of the events of Sept. 11, 2001, by concentrating efforts to restore and rebuild communities. Building On Faith week emphasized the opportunity to focus on citywide diversity, the power of God’s love, and the importance of strength and courage in the face of adversity. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat for Humanity International has built more than 125,000 houses around the world, providing safe, affordable shelter to more than 625,000 people m more than 3,000 communities. This mission is made possible through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials. In addition, the home’s owners also provide their own “sweat equity” into building the home. Construction of the Dura Builders/Delta Faucet home started Sept. 7 and continues and will continue to Oct. 3-5, with Oct. 5 slated as the home’s dedication day. The mother with five children will move in the following day. Indianapolis-based Dura Builders is the state’s third-largest homebuilder. Since 1972, Dura has built more than 6,500 homes and developed or built in more than 200 neighborhoods.