Uniondale is a middle class predominately Black community in the suburbs of New York City. The average family income is $76,553, which makes the town one of the most flourishing African-American cities in the United States.
10 of the Richest Black Communities in America
Uniondale is a middle class predominately Black community in the suburbs of New York City. The average family income is $76,553, which makes the town one of the most flourishing African-American cities in the United States.
I've lived in Windsor Hills, Baldwin Hills and Ladera Heights, now living in Sweet Auburn Atlanta…historically the first affluent Afro-American neighborhood in the US. Reading this just made me so very proud of our accomplishments as a people and my personal accomplishments in my 20s.
There's no such place as "Friendly, MD." It's called Fort Washington. I'm from there
There's no such place as "Friendly, MD." It's called Fort Washington. I'm from there
But why is the school district of PG county one of the lowest ranking in Maryland?
Would've thought Atl would've made the list
We've got fam in a couple of the MD cities mentioned.
Because Maryland ranks #1 in the nation for schools. PG doesn't offer a bad education per say, but next to the other counties in MD it's on the lower end of the totem pole.
Thanks Laura.
No problem, Nicole. I teach in one of those other MD counties (Howard county) and wondered the same thing when I first moved here to PG. Unfortunate that one of the lowest ranking counties here is also the one with the highest population of affluent blacks.
That is great
Well young people the world is in your hands now, work and strive hard and you can be a better example than the last black generation. As you can see integrating and allowing others to flourish in your communities you lose it all. Build block clubs and an economy to control your area , open up your own businesses and you will last very long.that is your only survival as a people. Keep these traditional areas and make them your own don't always be weak or for politicians because they are black .take the good and useful lessons from your fore parents and use them as your own.study booker t Washington , Elijah muhammad , and Marcus Garvey ' s economic plans they are all useful and valuable.
I agree with you martin we flourish when we do for ourselves
Where is Atlanta?
Let's form Voltron…..
Im down Marcus. I dont want a house as big as these. I'd rather homestead. But for Voltron and my people ill make the sacrifice
INTERESTING THEY HAVE FRIENDLY LISTED AND FORT WASHINGTON, WHEN THEY ARE ONE AND THE SAME. I learned it used to be called Friendly, then the Post Office Routes and redistricting made it all Fort Washington
Most houses in Uniondale Ny are not big they cottage style homes . The school district is ok but long island is just plain expensive.i live the next town over.
They are different census places (which is what the article is using) but not in reality.
Laura Dennis, most (not all) of the PG Cty schools do suck, but it's because most of the rich negroes, especially in the 5 of this top ten that are in PG County, send their kids to private school.
Hillcrest Ny is expensive because its queens so im not saying the list is bad but looking at these homes in md and ca you get your money worth ny you just paying cause its ny
Laura Dennis, most (not all) of the PG Cty schools do suck, but that's because most of the rich negroes (especially in the 5 PG Cty neighborhoods in this top ten list) send their kids to private schools.
Laura Dennis wow thanks for the info! That is really a "thing that makes you go hmmmm".
Thanks for this great advice. I will use it wisely and spread it.
Thanks for this great advice. I will use it wisely and spread it.
$159,168. Average top earnings is not that great on an international scale. In pounds in England that would be only £ 96,280, Against the Euro 116,269 it's 2014 people not 1979 . Expectation per household should be triple that by now .
When the housing market crashed and the economy tanked, so did Atlanta's ranking….
Some great advice Martin and congratulations in every way!
Also PG County, while having some very affluent cities, has some of the poorer areas in the state, and dedicates less money to their public schools than surrounding counties in Maryland. They also have a lot of students to account for, which doesn't help.
Mike Patt Thanks Mike.
I stand corrected hillcrest is rockland county not in queens
Laura Dennis didnt Texas rank number 1?
Mike Patt Thanks Mike.
Tarrance, as well as Carroll and Calvert. These schools are the top districts for Maryland. It will be interesting to see the Governor race and if people will address PG county issues. The tax base is too high, not too.
Very interesting article. It seems like Prince Georges County is the east coast center of affluent blacks. I would like to see a county by county analysis of the richest black communities in the USA too.
Laura Dennis Also a lot of these communities send their children to private schools. My brother lives in one of them, but he has no kids, but most of his neighbors kids go to private schools.
Without sounding ethnocentric here, we don't deal in euros or pounds so dollars on a day-to-day basis is what we only need to care about. Plus, these are predominantly black neighborhoods. It's not that blacks don't make these incomes at all, they may not live in a place that fits this list.
Without sounding ethnocentric here, we don't deal in euros or pounds so dollars on a day-to-day basis is what we only need to care about. Plus, these are predominantly black neighborhoods. It's not that blacks don't make these incomes at all, they may not live in a place that fits this list.
so sad that your country is still so segregated…and socially stratified……
I live in Prince Georges County in one of the zip codes dubbed "Super" by the Wasington Post. Laura is correct that although PG schools have lower scores than most county schools in Maryland, we still have some sucesses. In 2007 when my niece graduated from high school in PG, the Valedictorian and the salutatorian of her class both had near perfect SAT scores. THey also both received scholarships to MIT.
Unfortunately, the same thing that attracts middle and upper income blacks to PG also attracts poor and struggling familes to PG. And they bring their maladies with them. And this is reflected in the school scores and crime rates.
Yeah, and Woodmore and Mitchellville are the same. Woodmore is in Mitchellville. (I was wondering where Friendly MD was.)
Maybe $159,168 is not that great on the international scale, but in the US it is tops when the AVERAGE family income is around $50,000. Also, you have to remember this is average. Some families may be making millions.
Gardner C. Tabon Oh man, I wish I would've known, I lived in MD for like four years and could've gone to visit.
Prince Georges county is the wealthiest majority black county in the United States. (Per Census)
Nicole Orr indeed
I will definitely use your advice. Thank you Martin.
Dennis Gibbs A valid comment Dennis , However my mind says to me that list like these serves to put people into categories and therefore gives a false sense of security that everything is ok if you are out pacing everybody else in your own community/ neighbourhoods. Although you only deal in dollars, ''You are in a global market'. and increasingly wealth is measured in international asset classes. What I am showing you is that the buying power of your dollar is not what you think it is when you hold it up against currencies in the rest of the world.
These are communities in Maryland. Not cities.
There are other towns in Long Island that should make this list well before Uniondale. I should know. I live there, and am shocked to see it make this list, which I feel portrays it as much more than it is in actuality. It's far from a black pleasantville, which is why a Google Maps aerial photo is used rather than a curbside shot. Doesn't feel like good research was done on this, and a NY area neighborhood was chosen at random.
LOL … thought the same thing. And the View Park-Windsor Hills home is a mystery to me too (maybe Hancock Park)
For starters, I work with foreign currency, so I know the buying power of the dollar vs other currencies. We can get into global investments, but for the sake of this article, it's about the black neighborhoods in the US. I think you might view this article the wrong way. I see it not at outpacing one of the poorest groups in the US or keeping up with other classifications. It's more of finding neighborhoods where blacks have found success and decided to live within a community of like mindedness. I do get what you're saying and agree to an extent, but don't think it applies in this case. My brother lived in #4 and sister's in-laws in #3. These areas have a sense of pride and encouragement as you see success within all areas of business with no excuses.
Why wasn't Howard University listed as a prestigious school
I noticed that none of these counties or neighborhoods were in the midwest. Where Chicago area, or Ohio, or Michigan? Also, no deep south as well.
Lowest ranking? Because the people living here are not all affluent. There are many working class people (myself included) and poverty level people living here. It's not all mansions and rich black people. This is diversity among blacks at it's best. Also, as gentrification occurs in DC, where else will poor black people live? I've been here all my life and have witnessed the transformation of this county.
Debra Drayton , totally agree!
Right, Friendly=Fort Washington, Woodmore=Mitchellville and Kettering is a community in Upper Marlboro. Upper Marlboro should have been listed, not Kettering.
Great article of information, this would otherwise never be publicized.
Can't argue with that!
Are there any home like this in va particular in the greenbrier area lookin for a home
It is a shame that black folks are paying homage to conspicuous consumption. Congratulating ourselves of getting more from a system that is enslaving and oppressing others both domestically and internationally. When you look at the median income and you figure that against the home prices in these areas it exceeds the standard mortgage purchase price of 3 X income. Dont forget that when you consider all in costs that many times the real cost of the home 3 X the mortgage. In many of these communities I know that the purchase price is levered 6 to 7 times income (and that does not even factor the total financing costs) – that is technically bankruptcy. Those of you involved in this foolishness know exactly what I am speaking. this is not something to celebrate – it is something to take a lesson and be part of creative fair alternatives. Articles like this only help perpetuate the economic myth that lays at the foundation of capitalism and democracy. Please wake up
Debra Drayton most middle and upper class do not send their children to the public school. Most of their children attend private schools.
Just wanted to say Uniondale is not apart of New York City which consist of the five boros Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and Staten Island. Uniondale is located in Nassau County, Long Island , New York.
Just wanted to say Uniondale is not apart of New York City which consist of the five boros Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and Staten Island. Uniondale is located in Nassau County, Long Island , New York.
The black Beverly Hills Ladera:)
Aaron Sean Dorsey Thanks for that info as well. #20 is a definite surprise to me, but I know that a lot of different aspects are factored into rankings about education.
The whole thing reads likes a random list put together in less than an hour before deadline. Unless it was intentionally misleading, hmm…
The whole thing reads likes a random list put together in less than an hour before deadline. Unless it was intentionally misleading, hmm…
Set your standards high + strive for excellence (÷) don't give up. Formula for Success!
Laura Dennis … It sort of makes you wonder if that's by 'design'. #Hmm
The article is the 10 "richest" black communities which will be communities that are in cities with a higher cost of living. Those same houses in Atlanta would be 50% cheaper so it would not be considered rich. An example is a house in LA that cost $1 milllion would cost 300k in Atlanta so it would not be considered with richest even thought it may be the same house. This is the reason expensive cities made the list (DC, LA, NYC) instead of Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Charlotte, etc.
are in cities with a higher cost of living. Those same houses in Atlanta would be 50% cheaper so it would not be considered rich. An example is a house in LA that cost $1 milllion would cost 300k in Atlanta so it would not be considered with richest even thought it may be the same house. This is the reason expensive cities made the list (DC, LA, NYC) instead of Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Charlotte, etc.
I'm surprised that Georgia did not make the list. Stone Mountain? Lithonia?
The article is the 10 "richest" black communities which will be communities that are in cities with a highest cost of living. Those same houses in Atlanta would be at least 50% cheaper so it would not be considered the richest. An example is a house in LA that cost $1 milllion would cost 300k in Atlanta so Atlanta would not be considered with richest even thought it may be the same house. This is the reason expensive cities made the list (DC, LA, NYC) instead of cheaper cities like Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Charlotte, etc. This article should have been called "10 of the most "expensive" black communities instead of using the word "richest"
as a resident of one of P.G.'s middle of the road cities, I can attest that there are some absolutely terrible areas in the county. The disparity of wealth and poverty/crime is astonishing. But it's actually quite a great place to live. If you've got the money!
In Georgia, last time I checked.
Reminisce Atlanta, I agree with your posting because there are communities in the US where the people are considered "House Rich" but their income doesn't support them much outside of mortgage and car payment. When I say a family is rich, they are debt free with NO mortgage or car payments.
Most can not understand ,,,,, asleep they must stay ,,,,
Reminisce Atlanta, the figures used here are per capita income, not cost of houses. But you are correct that in a place with higher costs of living, the per capita income is most likely going to be greater. I think you would like a list of communities by net-adjusted disposable income which would then reflect buying power in a community with substantially less cost of living. However, if the criteria is simply per capita income as "richest," then this list (with other flaws as others have noted) still is relatively accurate.
@ Robin Barber Yes, PG county is ranked 22 out of 23 districts in the state of Maryland as of 2012-2013 reports. This is startling when you look at the tax dollars this county generates in comparison to other counties. Regardless, of whether or not the affluent can send their children to private schools, they still pay property taxes. Where is this money going? In my opinion all children whether poor or rich should be entitled to an education that meets the standards. I chose not to relocate to PG county because of the school systems and my ability to resale the home if needed. The surrounding counties of Howard, Montgomery, and Anne Arundel depending on the area, house prices are just as high and maybe not as aesthetic to the eye, but the school systems are in better shape. These counties from my understanding are fighting back against the mass exodus from both DC and Baltimore City. I strongly believe the incoming Governor needs to be held accountable and things need to change for all children.
@ Robin Barber Yes, PG county is ranked 22 out of 23 districts in the state of Maryland as of 2012-2013 reports. This is startling when you look at the tax dollars this county generates in comparison to other counties. Regardless, of whether or not the affluent can send their children to private schools, they still pay property taxes. Where is this money going? In my opinion all children whether poor or rich should be entitled to an education that meets the standards. I chose not to relocate to PG county because of the school systems and my ability to resale the home if needed. The surrounding counties of Howard, Montgomery, and Anne Arundel depending on the area, house prices are just as high and maybe not as aesthetic to the eye, but the school systems are in better shape. These counties from my understanding are fighting back against the mass exodus from both DC and Baltimore City. I strongly believe the incoming Governor needs to be held accountable and things need to change for all children.
@ Laura Dennis and Aaron Sean Dorsey , The ALEC report states based upon low income individuals progress and gains? This is not an overall assessment of the states schools systems. I am not sure how they differentiate this data as rich kids attend Roland Park as well as poor children if they reside in the district. But nonetheless, it was a very interesting read. Thanks.
Eniola, I'm not certain what standard you're using. According to the WHO, average per capita income in the UK is $36,010 (or £21,929.23 or €26,481.83), so all of these numbers are well above that. While I agree these numbers cannot compare with, say, Sir Richard Branson's income etc., again, I ask you what standard you're using. Per the Poverty Site, blacks in the UK (although whether from the Caribbean or from Africa makes a huge difference) tend to be poor (and therefore substantially below the average per capita).
I think your point is to say that these individuals don't compare to the wealthiest worldwide. Given that blacks have been substantially oppressed for hundreds of news, I dare say that this listing is good news.
I agree it should be Upper Marlboro and/or Bowie instead of Kettering
I agree it should be Upper Marlboro and/or Bowie instead of Kettering
Reminisce Atlanta true, thanks for the insight. but then I didn't think Maryland is necessarily an expensive state to live in, certainly not on the level of NY or LA. In sum, this article was interesting but either mis-titled or poorly research IMO, but a decent start nonetheless.
When I looked at the incomes I thought about this as well. Since it said median incomes I assumed there are some making well above that. Surely there are some living beyond their means as in any community simply for the zip code envy.
Glad to see the black community evolving and setting good examples for their peers, It's about time really. Congrats.
Well said
Powerful and true.
Not Kettering MD either
Aaron Sean Dorsey Thanks. I am learning alot and appreciate all the responses.
Laura Dennis , the ranking was issued by Education Week, an educational weekly magazine. The ranking was based on the state's emphasis on early-childhood education, and preparing students for college and work.
Kenyondra Langford, yes not only zip code envy but debt is what drives the economy. The illusion of big houses, expensive cars, expensive clothing and other wasteful spending plays directly into the heart of the game. Money, in this country is debt living beyond our means is programmed into the american dream. This must stop!
Also, the fact they used median, the middle value, is not a good sign. Meaning that values exists above and below. Without knowing the spread of the data is it difficult to understand the true range of values. Also, financing should be taken into consideration. Where I live there are affluent communities that are driven by ballon payment or interest only mortgages. If you know what to look for one can then determine how the magician accomplishes their trick. And for sure this type of living is a trick.
Just recently I attended the Christmas concert at Uniondale High School on Long Island, NY. I was overwhelmed at the excellence of the performance and the dedication of the teachers responsible. Their Christmas show was made up of A concert Orchestra, Concert Chorus, 9th Grade Band, Show Choir, Several individual Piano Selections most who created their own music, Jazz Band ( would make Dizzy & Duke proud), Select Strings of which my Granddaughter Jade playing since the age of 6 is one of the Bass Players… Their performance was superb and I was so very proud of these dedicated young people. It was announced the Show Choir was to be on Fox & Friends Christmas Morning. Their Marching Band is Legend and a former student has made a movie about their history, these are the Schools and young people who need to be acknowledged, a mostly Black & hispanic school in Uniondale, NY.
Just recently I attended the Christmas concert at Uniondale High School on Long Island, NY. I was overwhelmed at the excellence of the performance and the dedication of the teachers responsible. Their Christmas show was made up of A concert Orchestra, Concert Chorus, 9th Grade Band, Show Choir, Several individual Piano Selections most who created their own music, Jazz Band ( would make Dizzy & Duke proud), Select Strings of which my Granddaughter Jade playing since the age of 6 is one of the Bass Players… Their performance was superb and I was so very proud of these dedicated young people. It was announced the Show Choir was to be on Fox & Friends Christmas Morning. Their Marching Band is Legend and a former student has made a movie about their history, these are the Schools and young people who need to be acknowledged, a mostly Black & hispanic school in Uniondale, NY.
@Paul Mann—I think you (and others) are missing the point of the article. These are communities that are predominately African American. One such community where I grew up, is the area of View Park/Windsor Hills. There is no sense in buying a home or living in a community where you cannot afford the cost of the home (and the other expenses of owning a home). Yes, LA is expensive, no matter where you live. View Park-Windsor Hills, Baldwin Hills and Ladera are relatively affordable in comparison to other middle-class communities in Los Angeles or Southern California for that matter.
These are homes (the CA communities) that have been in a predominately African American community for more than 4 decades. I met other Black people who are surprised there are entire communities in which Blacks own their homes. Not that African Americans own homes, but that there are whole communities of middle-class (upper-middle, upper class) homeowners and those neighborhoods are predominately African American.
I grew up in Kettering, and my mom is still there. I agree, that doesn't look like any part of Kettering I know, but why wouldn't Kettering be on this list? It's an older community (within Largo) but affluent Black folks are there…just not as "flashy" as other areas.
I grew up in Kettering, and my mom is still there. I agree, that doesn't look like any part of Kettering I know, but why wouldn't Kettering be on this list? It's an older community (within Largo) but affluent Black folks are there…just not as "flashy" as other areas.
Mr. Frank Abel is responsible for the band at Uniondale High School. He used to teach band at Wyandanch High school. He is a legend!!!
Danielle Elleinad "10 of the Richest Black Communities in America" there are several communities like kettering, besides kettering is not amongst the richest by far
Exactly..I was like what?
You are correct.
The Ladera Heights house is in View Park. It's a house on Angeles Vista. Too funny 😉
Erica, is the View Park home really in View Park? I've never seen it. It doesn't even look like the normal set up there.
That's right brother we must be taught on how and why we were able to accomplish these things in a world that was trying everything to stop our progress in the past and currently….I have been a residence of the view park community all my life and i'm a real estate broker and commercial appraiser and if we don't wakeup real fast to what's going on politically behind the scene in our community's like this one in a few years it wont be the black community….this is prime real estate centrally located to most in any direction…the new home owners are whites and from experience seeing whats been going on in the past few years they are selectively choosing WHO buys in this community….when I was a young man soaking up information around my father's real estate office I would be taught on how WHITES were practicing THE RED LINNING technique on US! ITS TIME TO WAKE UP PEOPLE! History always will repeat itself IF YOU ALLOW IT TOO!
lemme get $20 tho.. j/k
Reminisce Atlanta so true! my family is from california and when we visited ATL in 2007 we were SHOCKED when we looked at these huge mansion like houses for sale and they were oly $200,000-$400,000. meanwhile in california, that's the price for a house in the hood. smh
Ashley, sure, just as long as you pay me back with interest.
PG County schools are under funded and no one cares because everyone with money sends their kids to private school. Same problem, different county.
I have not seen a house that looks like that and with landscaping that elaborate I feel like I would have seen or heard about it.
Okay, Prince George's County, MD has a few mistakes.
1. Kettering is hood ratchet and should not even be on the list. Please replace Kettering with Upper Marlboro, MD, a more appropriate contender.
2. Friendly does not exist. As far as I remember, there is a high school named Friendly in Fort Washington, MD.
3. Woodmore is a housing development in Mitchellville, MD.
4. Maybe it's just me, but I am extremely surprised that Bowie, MD did not make the list.
Sorry typo….Michellville, md woodmore
Actually Angelo, the first affluent African American neighborhood was NOT View Park-Windsor Hills, it was Lafiette Square (the 9 square block area off the Santa Monica Fwy between Crenshaw, San Vicente and Vience Blvd), The SECOND area was View Park/Baldwin Hills. I also grew up in View Park and my family moved there when I was 5 yrs. old—-the neighborhood was predominately white at that time. We actually moved from the 1st "affluent" African American neighborhood.
Those of us you grew up there in the 60s, 70s have a post here, "The kidz From The Hills-AKA The Hillbillies". Lots of good memories of 'ol View Park.
Very sad to see the comments about the neighborhood(s), especially View Park/Windsor Hills, Baldwin Hills and Ladera from people who have no idea about how these communities developed or the white-flight that occurred (at least in LA) to create these communities. Sad.
Lynn, with all due respect what are you talking about? I said, the first affluent Afro-American neighborhood was Sweet Auburn Atlanta. Where the FIRST Afro-American millionaires and business owners thrived.
Glenn, I guess that is true to some extent. However, having grown up in View Park/Windsor Hills community in Los Angeles (#1 on the list), I know FIRST HAND how it became a predominately Black community—it wasn't when my family moved there when I was 5 years old. However, because of whites not wanting to live next door to Blacks (well off professional Black Americans) it became so and has remained so for what is now over 40 years! Actually, it was very nice having grown up in a predominately Black community—-I have experienced NO OTHER community or neighborhood with so many neighbors who were actually friends; nothing like it.
Glenn, I guess that is true to some extent. However, having grown up in View Park/Windsor Hills community in Los Angeles (#1 on the list), I know FIRST HAND how it became a predominately Black community—it wasn't when my family moved there when I was 5 years old. However, because of whites not wanting to live next door to Blacks (well off professional Black Americans) it became so and has remained so for what is now over 40 years! Actually, it was very nice having grown up in a predominately Black community—-I have experienced NO OTHER community or neighborhood with so many neighbors who were actually friends; nothing like it.
Okay—misread—NO NEE TO BE TESTY!!!!!!
Okay—misread—NO NEE TO BE TESTY!!!!!!
People the said predominantly black which excludes a lot of communities on Long Island, I can see Uniondale being on that list most of the other communities on Long Island only have a handful of blacks in them, except of course the hoods…which are over flowing with blacks and now Spanish too.
I question the validity of this article. Especially since Equifax states that the average credit score in the Maryland/DC area is a 650, which leads me to believe that most of the people in these "rich" neighborhoods are just living above and beyond their means. Things that make you go hmmm?
I question the validity of this article. Especially since Equifax states that the average credit score in the Maryland/DC area is a 650, which leads me to believe that most of the people in these "rich" neighborhoods are just living above and beyond their means. Things that make you go hmmm?
And Jamaica is not? Be real
I live in a subdivision in Lynwood Illinois, where each neighbor including my self, Make close to 200, 000 or more per household. Looks like someone didn't do there homework…Hum
Raimondo Brown—According to records (US Demographics) Lynwood, Illinois is aprox. 67% African American. The article based its lists on communities where Blacks reside at and above 80%. The View Park/Windsor Hills has greater than 95% Black residency rate. Baldwin Hills is aprox. the same with Ladera Heights in the 80%. While the overall income of Lynwood, Illinois may be greater, the African American % is much lower—–perhaps accounting for the difference in per capita income, don't you think?
Looks like someone did their homework after all. 🙂
I know I replied already, but don't see it here. Angelo Romeo Martinez—–I misread, STOP BEING SO TESTY!!!!
I'm sure most of occupants of those cities in California. Are probably in the entertainment business. i.e. actors, athletes etc. Maryland seems to be the place to be.
Lynn Nickens What is Bladwill Hills in LA is that a all Black suburb. I hope I spelled it right.
On BET it said that it was.
So rich black mainly resides in MD Cali or Ny this ia a shitty list
They might be off a little with names and places but don't kill the message. Which is not all places that have a majority black American population are poor. A few black communties do thrive.
im from canada and was referring to u.s…….don't worry i have lots to say about jamaica as well….stay tuned……:)
Isn't Feiendly the new community that they built near Friendly high school off of steed road? You know they are building communities all around PG county in the inner and outer parts.
Woodmore's household income is $161,190, according to city-data.com. It should be higher on the list. It would have been easier to just check the Census 2010
Kettering made the list because you have to think about when it was first developed. Those same ppl still live there. Yea, newcomers have moved in, but it still has its "charm and character". Woodmore is an area, not just the gated community. It is reference as Mitchellville, like you said.
SanMarie, Baldwin Hills is just an area of Los Angeles, yes a suburb that is >95% Black. The history of the area: View Park/Windsor Hills, Baldwin Hills (2 hills separated by one street). The area was owned by a wealthy man named Baldwin who sold it to the city. The area of View Park was where the athletes were housed during the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles. When the area was developed after the '32 Olympics many streets were named in recognition of the area's connection to the Olympics: Olympiad Dr. (my family lived on this street), Fairview, etc….
Actually, that road divides View Park/Windsor Hills with the area of Baldwin Vista. There is another big street that separates that area with Baldwin Hills, but both the Baldwin Vista and Baldwin Hills area are called Baldwin Hills. We called the area by View Park/Windsor Hills the "Dons" because all the street names begin with Don—-Don Diego Dr., Don Tomas Dr., etc……
Blacks began moving into the area in the late 50s and early 60s. First to the View Park/Windsor Hills area, then Baldwin Hills and in the 70s to the Ladera Heights area (a little west). I recall the first day of school when I started 5th grade, it was mostly Black—-everyone wondered where all the white people went because it was such a dramatic swing. This is the area where both Tina Turner and Ray Charles lived (yes the houses used in their respective movies were the actual where they lived in the 60s and 70s).
Hope that helped with a little background on the area.
This is on neighborhoods that are >80% Black residency. Perhaps other neighborhoods aren't listed because, while they may be predominately Black—-not at the 80% rate.
Keep in mind the list is of areas that are > 80% Black, not 80% people of color.
Actually This Is Kettering On the Opposite side of Kettering Rd. Right off Largo Rd…Maybe they call It Upper Marlboro…
Actually, there are only a few individuals in the CA communities that are in the entertainment industry; the majority are in the medical field. I know because I grew up in the View Park/Windsor Hills area.
Debra, that is probably true. This article was only on communities with > 80% Black residency.
Lynn Nickens. Thanks for the info Lynn.
It wasn't about colleges; it was about residential communities. While Howard may have been in a nice neighborhood, upon my visiting there (although 10 years ago), the campus nice—neighborhood, not so nice. BTW, both my parents went to Howard.
Taheem Hamilton , I very much agree. Just more evidence of the programming that occurs in the media and "entertainment". Most people in the u.s. cannot explain how money comes into the economy yet you find them "getting paper" or "cheddar" – and despite the poverty that is embedded in the system they continue this drive for excess and foolishness having no idea of the cause and effects of their immaturity.
Lynn Nickens – Nah. The other neighborhoods are 80% black or more as well. And Uniondale isn't more than 80% black. Whatever data was used isn't accurate. Plus, the highest earning households are off the books multiple family dwellings. "Flourishing" is a misnomer of a word when Uniondale was the first community in NY State outside of NYC to receive cameras that measure gunshot muzzle flashes as a way of deterring and policing gang activity.
Lynn Nickens Do Black actresses still live there or is the value of that area is going down.
Yea I think they meant to say a bedroom suburb of NYC or part of the New York Metro area which consist of Westchester, Nassau and the 5 boroughs….they should of said Hilcrest was part of NYC that's weird, I didn't even know that area was called Hillcrest, I always considered it Hollis
http://www.city-data.com/forum/new-york-city/103439-wealthy-black-neighborhoods-nyc-19.html Check this out… Do some research Please
Reminisce Atlanta I think this article is based on the average family income, not he cost of living.
Debra Drayton. Exactly. It's the AVERAGE income for these communities. I live in PG County and many blacks make far more than that.
El Amin Hassan It's also politically bias as well. The younger generation can get the degrees, have the work ethic and what not but if we do not continue to invest in the community, we won't have nothing for us and them.
Taheem Hamilton You shouldn't cringe when that is mention in rap song. Mainstream music is an extension of the beast, being surprised that it is demonic is like being surprised the devil has a negative spirit.
For African-Americans, the DC area has a lot to offer economically and socially. The public schools could be better- especially in PG County, but they are better than schools in other areas.
Yes Warren… The most "common" profession in the View Park/Windsor Hills/Baldwin Hills area is the profession of medical doctor, which is why the area was once called "PILL HILL" by some. Yes, in the 70s, there were many from the entertainment field, such as Ray Charles, Nancy Wilson, Ike & Tina Turner, Ester Rolle, and many others. But, besides the beauty of the homes, the beauty of the women, and the close proximity to everything (the beach, downtown, many shopping areas), I find one of the most impressive features of the area is the weather. Most homes don't even have air conditioning because the area is approximately six "crow's flight" miles from the ocean, which keeps the area "comfortable" even during the hottest of months (July, Aug, Sept). Wouldn't want to live anywhere else. BTW: I was in D.C. at Howard University in February, 1979. WHAT A WINTER! UGH! Today, January 4th, 2014, the tempertature in L.A. is in the mid-70s. It's no wonder that the spanish settlers named the area "Los Angeles," which means "The Angels." With this great weather, how do you say…."HEAVENLY." 😉
Raimondo Brown http://www.bestplaces.net/economy/city/illinois/lynwood
this.
Kenyondra Langford Take a look @ AZ
I'm from Hillcrest NY and I don't recall any of the houses looking like that, perhaps in another town of Rockland County.
It is nice there are beautiful neighborhoods that Black folks can enjoy and see other prosperous Blacks. You can't help anyone being broke.
Why do people think that Atlanta is supposed to be the blk Mecca and gold standard for African American Prosperity? In my opinion Washington DC and it's surrounding suburbs are, it has twice The population of Atlanta and nearly twice as many African-Americans living there
Hello world… It is merely a "nod" to these communities where folks have pride in home ownership, as much as they can, given the economic crisis in this country. I believe all of America is living above their means in this credit obsessed society. But we all are struggling to hold on to our property in hopes of building on the legacy of family and community that the civil rights era has afforded us. Is there something wrong with striving to to do well and making progress through higher education, home ownership, business development and reinvesting in our communities? Trust me, we share our zip codes with all walks of life, ethnic groups and economic levels. In LA, we are right in the heart of what the media has dubbed as "South Central" and "The Jungle". I wouldn't want to live anywhere else, and it seems as there are a lot of people that feel that way as we see our community becoming more and more diverse. Location is key, central to Downtown, Hollywood and the beach cities cuts down the commute and increases the property values. We have strong Block Clubs and concerned neighbors, convenient shopping, movies and best of all, culture! Looking forward to continued business development and Metro transportation in the Crenshaw Corridor! Come visit us on "The Shaw"
I have lived most of my life in Baldwin Hills which encompasses Ladera Heights, View Park, Windsor Hills, Baldwin Hills, Baldwin Vista, Blair Hills and Culver Crest. The latter two are in Culver City. My wife and I left and lived in Malibu,raising our two daughters for twenty years. We recently returned and love the area. However, this wonderful enclave of black success is rapidly becoming less and less black. No one has mentioned that whites are purchasing homes in the Baldwin Hills more so then African Americans. The historic and beautiful Village Green is now predominantly white. Many in this area lament the fact that in the coming years the area will no longer majority black.
The most interesting thing about this article is looking at the homes in Maryland compared to those in California. Having lived in New York, Miami and now Cali….Your dollar definitely goes alot farther in these other states than it does in California…at least when it comes to buying homes.
I'm surprised not to see any communities on the list from Atlanta, Houston, Dallas or Chicago.
Fact Prince George County as it may be the wealthiest black county in America ,it still is one of the top crime infested counties in the US ……….FACT
I moved to Mitchellville to build my 5000 foot dream home -from Howard County – based on a similar article in an Ebony magazine eleven years ago. When my son arrived, he was quickly placed in a gifted and talented program and given a Presidential award. In three short years, his knowledge base plummeted. I became an advocate for his schooling and faced nothing but road blocks. The middle school he was going to had 28 teachers fired, substitute teachers were just filling the day, yet I was paying $14,000 alone a year in personal property tax. On top of this, the new town center – Boulevard at Capital Centre – which was highly touted – just quickly went to heck in a hand basket. Customer service was lacking everywhere, I had to drive to Annapolis to shop and eat fine dining, I had to go into the District for theatre arts, and in the end, I felt as if I had been duped. Within three years, I had enough. I sold my dream house and moved to a small unheralded community, but my son's education was more important than a 5000 foot home. By the time I resettled, I learned that my son was two grades behind but each of his new teachers worked through their lunch break for the entire school year to catch him up to the appropriate grade level. Income alone should not be the basis for a "rich community". The term "rich" should also include the county's education ranking within the state, the availability of community arts programs, whether quality shopping malls and fine dining exists, grocery stores that do not require 45 minute waits for ten items, and whether there exist a high level of customer service for patrons of restaurants or any other stores. I still have access to John Hopkins even though I now live in Virginia. My pulmonologist resides there!!!8
I moved to Mitchellville to build my 5000 foot dream home -from Howard County – based on a similar article in an Ebony magazine eleven years ago. When my son arrived, he was quickly placed in a gifted and talented program and given a Presidential award. In three short years, his knowledge base plummeted. I became an advocate for his schooling and faced nothing but road blocks. The middle school he was going to had 28 teachers fired, substitute teachers were just filling the day, yet I was paying $14,000 alone a year in personal property tax. On top of this, the new town center – Boulevard at Capital Centre – which was highly touted – just quickly went to heck in a hand basket. Customer service was lacking everywhere, I had to drive to Annapolis to shop and eat fine dining, I had to go into the District for theatre arts, and in the end, I felt as if I had been duped. Within three years, I had enough. I sold my dream house and moved to a small unheralded community, but my son's education was more important than a 5000 foot home. By the time I resettled, I learned that my son was two grades behind but each of his new teachers worked through their lunch break for the entire school year to catch him up to the appropriate grade level. Income alone should not be the basis for a "rich community". The term "rich" should also include the county's education ranking within the state, the availability of community arts programs, whether quality shopping malls and fine dining exists, grocery stores that do not require 45 minute waits for ten items, and whether there exist a high level of customer service for patrons of restaurants or any other stores. I still have access to John Hopkins even though 8I now live in Virginia. My pulmonologist resides there!!!
Baldwin Hills, Windsor Hills and Ladera Heights California are no longer Black communities. White and Asian people's are moving in these neighborhoods faster then the speed of light and have been for quite some time now. More mixed then Black now.
Nice to see that segregation is still being celebrated state side
lake view NY is about 3 miles from uniondale and is far more affluent
…and yet nothing we own, use, eat, drink, wear, drive, live in or sleep on is manufactured, produced or distributed by us.
We have 1.1 million African Americans with advance degrees, plus a plethora of African American ministers/leaders, senators, congressman, representatives, councilmen and alderman but yet, African Americans have no verifiable evidence of a technology, infrastructure or industry.
African American organizations, political leaders and African American ministers/leaders concertedly lack the collective intelligence to create a foundation of inclusion for the survival of African Americans.
All we produce is ignorance where comments is currency and lip service our product.
Ron Fleming Said it best. And I have been saying it for quite some time. There is not one single place in America that should be called a black community. We only exist in neighborhoods!
Yall don't even wanna see where I live….
Wait! Am I reading this right? Uniondale NY??? As much as I would love to agree with this article, 2 words heinnnn nope!
For an in depth view of the wealthier and degreed professional blacks of Dallas, AffluentBlacksOfDallas.com is a good starting point, especially if you're moving from out of town to the Dallas Ft. Worth area for career or business reasons.
I'm from Los Angeles, CA and I'm very familiar with areas like Baldwin Hills, Ladera and it's surrounding areas having grown up in the Crenshaw District. What's not being said is although some of these "neighborhoods" are very nice, the problem is the mindset of it's local residents that make it bad. The "Black Community" is more of a theoretical construct in my opinion because we are not a true community.. if we were, we would have far less black on black crime in our "neighborhoods", we wouldn't loot our own stores when injustices happen, we WOULD protest and picket when our kids are shot by other "neighborhood" kids, not just when it's done by cops and we would support black business and entrepreneurship for what it does for our communities buying power. Then will we have a voice as a community to correct the social injustices taking place in our "neighborhoods". If diversity is taking over these areas, does it make a safer environment for our kids to grow up? How much more value would the surrounding neighborhoods be if the "Jungle" was just a "community" of local working residents? Gang violence is kept alive by new recruits.. our kids, manifested by their parents or what their parents allow to influence them. I applaud the new construction and local edification of our neighborhood but it's the mindset of the people reducing it's value. It saddens me that what prevents our neighborhoods from becoming thriving "communities" is ignorance and violence.
These 10 most affluent African-American communities are just 10 among many places across the country where black people are moving forward on every level. So I not down with this victim mentality and I feel no obligation to the black underclass. I hope and pray that they figure out ways to better themselves and advance their lives. I do believe in mentoring the youth of the next generation in which we help them develop a larger vision of themselves and their lives. Mentorship equipps young people with the tools and resources as well as the structural format they need to advance their lives and create positive change in the community. Look at what Leon goodrum and many others are doing. Mr. Goodrum owns 7 McDonald's franchises in Atlanta and employees many young people in his stores and is involved in their educational development. This is how a community gets empowered and grows.
Can we just accept the article and stop bitchin, it's nice seeing black communities and In LA things are changing but let's stop moving to Palmdale and Lancaster and keep what you have, those place are a hell hole
It shows pictures of houses as representative of community, not one person is pictured. What about the interaction between people? Are they happy? Do their families stay together? Are they eating healthy food? These are "places to live" not communities. That is what's wrong with the American worldview, we have no sense of what it means to be truly rich.
This is so misleading when it comes to the number of communities with black wealth. 5 of the cities are in Prince Georges County and are some of these homes are across the road from one another. This is not a knock on these affluent communities at all. I'm so shocked that Atlanta, Georgia (Fulton County) didn't make the list since that is Black Hollywood.
I was leaving out in PG county in Beltsville, MD 2013-2014. I loved that area, I adore the DVM area, although I had my dislikes, but the experience as a whole wasn't to bad. The area was very quite and peaceful and I loved that, kind of reminded me of where I was from, but the people are, uptight and quite rude and not friendly. Eventually I relocated to Riverdale, MD, because of my lack of social life, bad transit, and terrible neighbors, not even a good morning.
Now Riverdale was a lot deferent from Beltsville, a lot more of a immigrant fill, mostly hispanics, Ethiopians and low income blacks from DC. I didn't like that to much because again, everyone stayed within their circles, but rent was cheaper compared to Beltsville so I stayed for a few months, until a co-worker told me about Suitland MD. I was told that "Suitland was more nicer and rent was cheaper, plus the people are much pleasant''. So My last attempt to make the DMV area work, I had moved to Suitland, MD. Now that was a bad idea, transportation system in that area sucks, everything felt far away, and it had a lot of dope dealers standing on corners. I finally left the DMV area with regrets. I made the move back to Philadelphia. I love my city, but what I hate about Philly is for a city with minority being black than white, half of Philly poor population are blacks. My mother came to the states with nothing but her name and a passport, with hard work, we made sure we lived and grew up in the Wynnefiled Height section of Philadelphia, now its nothing like what's on the list, but it was great for me and my family. Great neighbors, always looking out for each other, respect, and a mixture of working class, middle and professional, but you could never tell whose whom. I was bless to escape the Philadelphia school system, lucky I went to a suburb charter school. I was born in Haiti, and before moving to Philly at the age of 8; Philadelphia was pretty much all I knew not base on my adventures, untilI I graduated from high I must say, with all the places I've been to, or lived in though the years, places like: Miami Florida, for college, Boston, after college, NYC, Chicago, San Fran, Detroit, ATL, Cleveland, Houston, and lastly DMV area for a year, I absolutely love Philly the best, even with it being less glamorous than some of the other cities Ive lived in. Philly is more friendly, more real, more blue collar, more hard working people and community bond than any city I lived. Its a shame the city is in bad shape for blacks, not for whites. Wish one of or black areas would of made that list, but Philly is still a poor city for blacks!
It's a shame that most except the Los Angeles ones are in the suburbs.
the only way black americans will truly succeed is to stop looking at the american dream of owning stuff. but that is the irony, we are in the end American and that is the American way. Time to start reading and comprehending books like the Millionaire Next Door, getting more involved in Math and Science, applaud thinkers and not athletes, and then maybe then we will be "Affluent". Keeping up with the Joneses, no bueno!
There is plenty black wealth in atlanta, it just not all in the same neighborhood. We are spread out.
Ive got to be honest:im not particulArly interested in living in a black community. Now up and coming-sure. Oh and i second that statement of atla ta-smoke and mirrors indeed.
Leimert Park?? 😐 …So Windsor Hills & Baldwin Hills are right up the street from Crenshaw, where they have a bulletproof contraption at the Jack'n'A Box drivethru…
They also left out Clinton Maryland, and Brandywine Maryland which also is in PG County.
As one commenter stated correctly; "The Black [or African American ]Community" IS nothing more than a sociological construct.- used by non minorities to put all African Americans in the neat little monolithic "box" in order to perpetuate the racism. This is what is done to minorities rather than deal with the individual realities of who we are. While there indeed are "physical location" with predominant African American residents- the myth of the "Black Community" needs to be abolished from our vocabulary and social discourse permanently.
There is so much "wrong" or rather misleading about this entire piece- including the photos. There are numerous "qualifiers" conveniently omitted. There are numerous areas of this nation where African American's annual earnings [minus celebrities] exceed the ones posted here. The houses are of a certain regional/geographical type found predominantly on the Eastern and Southern regions of the U.S. The Queen Ann, English Tudor, Colonial etc is merely a regional type of architectural style equating wealth and affluence with a perceive style of home IS smoke and mirrors. Having lived on both Coasts, and the Mid West, there is far more than analyzing wealth that what was done here. The big question becomes- how to maintain it, replicate it and pass it down.
Makes me extremely happy that my immense wealth is not based on material possessions.
Drive through those areas in LA and it is like burglar bars everywhere.
Even richest black communities in America are suffering of low ratings when it comes to their school districts. Is the education problem in America really an economic issue? We need to solve this issue…
I don't know what you all done heard but Atlanta has plenty of black wealth. Cascade, Collier Heights, Sandtown, south dekalb, and other places in the Atlanta Metro Area. Also 31 percent of Atlanta's businesses are black owned. Atlanta has a lot of strong black owned corporations: HJ Russell Construction, Bronner Bros Corporation, Jackmont Hospitality, and many others. Smoke and Mirrors is some shit you do hotboxing. That's sitting in a car smoking weed and your window foggs up. I know about Atlanta cause I've seen these places there for myself. I don't know D.C. or Maryland but I hear great things. I know L.A., I'm from California, San Jose area but I know we got well to do African-Americans all over America.
Joe Burris I think they didn't want it to me nothing but PG county. Still Upper Marlboro is the only legit option on that last. Last I checked Bowie wasn't predominantly black and Oxon Hill has a lower income than all these cities.
I don't know what say.
made a mistake writing to fast.
Joe Burris, parts of Bowie is considered Mitchellville, MD.
Fort Washington, Tantallian, Accokeek areas.
$159,000.00 and change is affluent according to USA standards. And its more.than three times the national average. And I believe its an undercount, because 118K a year is not very affluent in Ca. Its upper middle class no doubt, not wealthy. L.A. does have a lot of black owned businesses. Over 26,000 and change. Thats a lot, but remember we are 10 percent of the population. Leimert Park has a large concentration of black owned businesses, and many blacks in L.A. do well. And some of yall are used to hearing about us loosing and dont recognizing when we winning. Its been beat into our heads for decades how bad were doing. But thats not true. We have so much success to report as a people both then and now.
El Amin Hassan YOU are the light.
Agreed, Melissa. Would have been better off just saying Prince George's County. I'm pretty sure it still would have ended up on the list.
Atlanta has plenty black wealth. Its over 52,000 black owned businesses and several black owned corporations in Atlanta. South Dekalb County in Atlanta's metro area is quite affluent as well. Of course, these areas that are black and affluent are not same as affluent white areas but nonetheless they are prosperous in their own right. And most affluent black areas are in close proximity to ghettos. But I praise these places for the opportunity for successful blacks to live amongst kindred spirits.
Like George Fraser said. "We are the beacon of hope for every person of African descent in the world". He aint lying. There are no black people doing better than us anywhere in the world. In fact, black america is the 16th richest nation on earth. Black owned collectively generate over $138 Billion in annual revenues. Probably more now. Even with $138 billion, thats not peanuts. It beats the Gross Domestic Product of most countries around the world. Maryland's 102,000 black owned businesses have a combined 6.8 billion in annual revenues. Black owned businesses contribute $44 Billion a year to North Carolina's state economy. 87,000 African American owned businesses in North Carolina. 11 percent of businesses in North Carolina are black owned. 20 percent of Georgia's businesses are black owned. The largest black owned business in America is Worldwide Technologies in St.Louis, Mo has annual revenues exceeding $6,000,000,000.00. $6.7 Billion in 2014. We got so much greatness and success as black people in this country, its unbelievable. We are a prosperous people. Lets celebrate and replicate more of this in our communities.
Crazy 8-4 are all in MD PG!
top 10 richest black people thy ar I Africa ma dear..still we are one people bt most rich black people are here in the mama land.
I know right!!!
Prud to be from Uniondale.
How can you make this list without Kenwood Chicago?
I currently live in View Park and as I write this I can hear helicoptors, police sirens, and engines gunning. The neighborhood is up the hill from crenshaw which brings crazyiness. Most of the houses could use remodeling as well as the home I live in. Most of them do not have air conditioning, yeap thats right! Lot of the homes have been passed down from parents to children. Prices are from 700k(fixer) upwards, 3500 sq +. I personally know people whose houses are paid off, not living in debt. Our neighbors are doctors, lawyers, psychologist, real estate moguls, police officers etc. Also adult children with families have moved back home with thier parents due to the cost of living in L.A. Would I buy a home here if I didnt already live here, nope?! Too close to the hood!
Thapelo MB Mokgosi And most poor Black people are in Africa as well. But, per capita, Black Americans are the richest Blacks on Earth in terms of disposable income.