Almost a third of the city of Albany is comprised of black residents. The majority of these people reside in three neighborhood areas: Arbor Hill, West Hill, and South End. These neighborhoods border the government center and downtown business district, respectively. During the 1960s, nearly 700 new buildings were constructed in the downtown area, and the city's boundaries were increased by 27 square miles. Today, these communities are home to dozens of community organizations. For example, there are several youth organizations and nonprofits that serve the black community.
While historically white neighborhoods dominated the city's population, in recent decades, non-white residents began to settle in these communities. The Home Owners' Loan Corporation redlined these neighborhoods and in 1980, the South End, Arbor Hill, and West Hill were overwhelmingly black. These neighborhoods were home to large numbers of Italian and other immigrants who were the targets of xenophobic prejudice. As a result, the black population constituted nearly sixty percent of the city's population.
The neighborhoods in and around Black L.A. are a mix of extravagant homes and neighborhood townhouses, with relatively low crime levels. While Upper B street areas are mostly black, they are primarily middle class white. Silver Lake, the more scruffy cousin, is 46 percent black. For a glimpse into the city's past, visit the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument. If you're a first-time visitor, be sure to check out the Black City neighborhood on your Los Angeles map!