Population Changes in Memphis, 1950-1958

POPULATION CHANGES IN MEMPHIS, 1950-1958 Paul H. Siseo Memphis State University It is common knowledge that significant population changes have continued to take place in American cities since 1950. However, with few official figures available to show these changes, it has been difficult to analyze them accurately and systematically. The purpose of this study is to examine selected population changes that have taken place in Memphis since 1950 as they possibly typify population shifts that have occurred in other American cities. The regular decennial census of 1950 and the special census of 1958 have been the principal sources of information. In mapping these population changes census tracts are used as the enumeration units, and most of the data are depicted on a square mile basis by census tract. Census tracts 76 and 77 (Figure 1), located in the extreme soutliAvestern part of the city and including the President's Island industrial area, haA'e been excluded from the study, since these tracts are large but have a combined population of only 101 persons. For purposes of comparison it has also been necessary to exclude census tracts 91 through 102, since these tracts were added after 1950, and, consequently, data for them are not available for that year. Population Gain The total population for the city of Memphis on January 31, 1958, Avas 488,55?.1 This figure represents a gain of 92,550 or an increase of 23.4 per cent over the 1950 figure. This gain is related to a number of factors common to the growth of many American cities of today. The most important of these factors seem to be: (1) the growth of the economic base activities of our cities, (2) the continued movement of people from rural to urban areas, (3) the increased birth rate in our country beginning with the 1940 's, and (4) the areal grOAVth of our cities as a result of frequent and sometimes extensive annexations, Avith the accompanying population increase. In connection with this last factor, it seems pertinent to mention that preliminary data for 1960 indicate that some of our cities are experiencing an actual decline in population, due to the flight of people to the suburbs on the one hand, and the difficulties encountered in the annexation of new areas on the other. Memphis typifies the cities that have been able to expand their boundaries, resulting in large increments to their populations. For example, approximately 62 per cent of the gain in population from 1950 to 1958 came as a result of the annexation of 12 census tracts representing approximately 23 square miles or a 16 per cent increase in area. These census tracts are located on the northern and eastern periphery of the city. At this time additional large annexations are being considered. 24 It is also significant that most of the gains within the 1950 city limits were experienced in the peripheral areas where new residential subdivisions Avere developed (Figure 2). By contrast, the older part of the city showed gains in only a few scattered census tracts, gains. 25 that resulted, to a large extent, from dAvelling unit construction in urban reneAval areas under the auspices of the Memphis Housing Authority. In those census tracts where population gains occurred the increases ranged as high as 5,400 persons per square mile. The greatest increase was experienced in census tract 88 in the extreme northeastern part of the city in an area of neAV subdivisions. Areas of Population Loss In contrast to the newer and peripheral parts of the city, most of the older area showed an actual decline in population (Figure 3). 26 rie. 3 Lo*s by census tract ranged as high as 10,000 per square mile immediately east of the central business district. In this old urban core some of the dwelling units have been converted to other uses, while many have been removed and replaced by commercial establishments, office buildings, and parking lots. With the increasing number of automobiles this latter use is taking a hea\'y toll, particularly in replacing older residential property near commercial establishments, office buildings , hospitals, and churches. Despite their continued loss in population, however, census...