West Oakland has seen a major decline in the African American population since the 1990's. The following are but a few of the statistics:
- For the past 10 years Oakland has seen a decline in the number of 5 to 17 year old youth.
- The population of school age children in West Oakland declined 31% over the past decade.
- New condo units are not always child friendly.
- Many new residents to the area have not yet started families.
- Crime, especially violent crime, is on the rise.
- Enrollment in West Oakland public schools has declined over 60% since 2000.
- The birthrate for African American families has declined significantly.
- In West Oakland many of the African American residents are 'aging in place,' with children and grandchildren moving away.
- The younger generation of African Americans are selling the property they inherit.
- From 2010 to 2012 the West Oakland community of 25,000 had 59 murders.
- Most West Oakland homicide victims are young African American males.
- The housing boom and subsequent bust accelerated African American family relocation.
- Rising real estate prices allowed many African Americans to sell their property and move away.
- Refinancing and second mortgages caused a disproportionate loss of African American homes when property values declined.
- The recession left many residents unemployed, causing further foreclosures.
- From 2007 to 2011 West Oakland saw almost a 10% foreclosure rate, higher than the rest of Oakland and California statewide.
- Declining student populations in the public schools have lead to school closures.
- Historical African American communities, such as West Oakland, have had schools closed due to reduced student enrollment.
- In October 2012 the Oakland School Board voted to close five schools, of which four were predominately African American.
- West Oakland was a striving working and middle class community in the mid-20th century, with many job opportunities.
- Most manufacturing, military, railroad and shipbuilding jobs are now gone from Oakland.
- The younger generation of African Americans may not see a bright future for themselves in Oakland.
- In 2000 the African American population of West Oakland was two-thirds of the total.
- Today, the African American population of West Oakland is down to half of the total.
- The white population of West Oakland more than doubled in the decade from 2000 to 2010.
- West Oakland Latino population grew 13%.
- In 2000 the combined white and Asian population of West Oakland was 17%; in 2012 the combined total was 30%.
- Economic disparity is visible throughout West Oakland; beautifully restored homes with landscaped yards and luxury condos next to inhabited, crumbling houses in decay.
- Young professionals are moving into West Oakland, often into houses which for generations were the homes of African Americans.
- Oakland School Board policies allow families to enroll in any district public school, causing a further decline in West Oakland schools.
- Economically disadvantaged West Oakland families who are unable to leave are forced to send their children to declining neighborhood schools.
- Half the children living in West Oakland go to public school outside of the area; in safer neighborhoods, better schools, with higher test scores.
- Some West Oakland children attend private or charter schools.
- The amount of money public schools receives depend on the enrollment numbers; declining enrollment leads to declining school programs.
- Oakland School District has to offset lost Federal funds for public schools in decline.
- In 2012 there was only 250 students left at McClymonds High School, which needed $224,000 in funds to maintain the basics, and that did not include the ability to hire a school counselor, assistant principal or even a school secretary.
- The STEM Corridor plan of 2012 hoped to bring science, technology, engineering and math to areas such as West Oakland.
