Archive
Tenderloin Census 2010
Racial breakdowns are not necessarily the best way to understand a place, although the US Census certainly places a heavy emphasis on it. Nevertheless, the US 2010 Census numbers are still interesting because they reveal a striking level of density and ethnic diversity.The Tenderloin essentially lies within the following Census tracts: 12201, 12202, 12301, 12302, 12401, 12402, 12501, and 12501. Geographically, these are relatively small areas of only a few city blocks. Here’s the breakdown:
- White 42%
- Black 6%
- Asian 33%
- Hispanic 15%
- Others 4%
- White 32% (10,162 people)
- Black 11% (3,339 people)
- Asian 28% (8,911 people)
- Hispanic 24% (7,542 people)
- Others 5% (1,641 people)
The Tenderloin’s population density is one of the Tenderloin’s most defining characteristics. For example, tract 12402, centered at Leavenworth and Turk streets is just six city blocks but is home to over 5,000 people, which is among the densest in the entire city. (Meanwhile, the rent is among the city’s cheapest, which is why I moved to the Tenderloin!)
The neighborhood’s diversity never ceases to amaze. The population seems equally shared among whites, blacks, Asians, and Hispanics. On any given day, I hear so many languages on the street. I regularly hear Cantonese, Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, Vietnamese and English too. When including tourists, I often hear German, French, and sometimes Russian around the hotels near the Tenderloin’s east side. Perhaps this blog should be translated into these languages.
By the way, this resident moved to the Tenderloin just few months after the 2010 Census finished, and therefore was not counted.
tenderloinblog 