Where Did Black Los Angeles Go?

[00:00:03] Where did black Los Angeles go? [00:00:06] Welcome to the Knowledge where we explore the stories shaping our communities. I'm your host Rod Washington, and today we're looking at a question many longtime Southern Californians have asked. What happened to black Los Angeles? [00:00:19] For decades, neighborhoods like Watts, Crenshaw, Limert Park, Baldwin Hills and West Adams formed the heart of one of America's most influential black communities. [00:00:29] These neighborhoods helped shape music, politics, business and popular culture. But their demographics have changed dramatically. In 1990, about 454,000 non Hispanic black residents lived in the city of Los Angeles. [00:00:44] By 2020, that number had dropped to approximately 323,000. [00:00:50] Across Los Angeles county, the black population declined from approximately 935,000 in 1990 to about 761,000 in 2020 20. But here's what those numbers don't tell you. Black Los Angeles didn't simply disappear, it moved. For many families, the decision came down to housing. As rents and home prices increased, staying in familiar neighborhoods became more difficult. Some homeowners sold their properties and used the proceeds to purchase larger homes elsewhere. Others, particularly renters, were priced out. Economic changes played a role, too. Southern California lost many of the manufacturing and aerospace jobs that had once supported working in middle class famil. [00:01:32] So where did people go? Many moved north to Lancaster and Palmdale in the Antelope Valley. Others headed east into Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Between 1990 and 2021, Riverside County's Black population grew from approximately 64,000 to more than 156,000. San Bernardino county also gained tens of thousands of black residents. Some families went farther, relocating to Las Vegas, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston and Atlanta. This broader movement has helped redefine where black commun live and grow across the American west and South. Still, important black population centers remain throughout the Los Angeles area. Leimert park continues to serve as a cultural anchor. Baldwin Hills, Crenshaw, Hyde Park, View Park, Windsor Hills and Ladera Heights also retain strong community ties. [00:02:23] Englewood remains a major center of black business culture and entertainment, even though its population has become more diverse. Other established communities can be found in Westmont, West Athens, Carson, Gardena and North Lawn beach. And in the Antelope Valley. Lancaster and Palmdale are now home to substantial black suburban populations. [00:02:44] And in the Antelope Valley, Lancaster and Palmdale are now home to substantial black suburban populations. There's also Altadena, where generations of black families built a strong tradition of home ownership. The devastating eaton fire of 2025 raise difficult questions about whether displaced residents will be able to return and rebuild. What emerges is a picture of a community that is still present, but far more spread out than it once was. That creates new challenges. Churches, businesses, civic organizations and cultural institutions must find ways to remain connected when the people they serve live across different cities and counties and even states. [00:03:32] The history of black Los Angeles isn't over. It's being written across a much larger map. To read the full story and explore more coverage of Los Angeles history and changing communities, visit stmdailynews.com and while you're there, subscribe to our newsletter and join the conversation. This is the Knowledge Podcast. I'm Rod Washington. Thanks for listening.