10 Notable Black Affluent Neighborhoods Shaping Culture, Wealth and Community

Polo Ralph Lauren’s latest Oak Bluffs campaign is a paradox of what the media often shows as “black culture.” There are no scenes of gun violence claiming young men in the inner city. We don’t see the trope of an overworked single mother who is down to her last straw.  And the advertisements don’t fall under the “slave movie” category that Hollywood often packages as the sole narrative to Black history. 

Instead, the campaign unfolds to the sound of waves kissing the shore and smooth jazz drifting through the air, as impeccably dressed Black models bask in the beauty of the beach. This imagery is one of leisure, heritage and joy.

Oak Bluffs may be the inspiration for Ralph Lauren’s celebration of Black heritage, but it’s part of a larger society. In the country, there are communities where Black affluence isn’t an anomaly—it’s the tradition. Here are 10 Black affulent neighborhoods where Black excellence is a part of everyday life. 

1. Oak Bluffs, MA

Oak Bluffs is a quaint town in Martha’s Vineyard, MA. The town was first settled in 1642 and named initially Cottage City. In the mid-19th century, African Americans began settling in Oak Bluffs, many finding work in the town’s hotels and private estates. Time passed, and some even opened up their own inns. The Shearer family opened their cottages and welcomed African American vacationers.

“Lee Van Allen, a descendant of the Shearer Family recounts her family’s history at Oak Bluffs in the short documentary, “A Portrait of the American Dream Oak Bluffs.”

“The Shearer family first came to Martha’s Vineyard in the late 1800s,” Van Allen says. “African Americans for the most part were not welcome at other guest houses on the island. So, he [Van Allen’s great-grandfather Charles] decided to open an Inn.” Today, the Shearer Cottage is one of  the oldest Inns operated on Martha’s Vineyard. 

2. Baldwin Hills, CA

Nicknamed “The Black Beverly Hills ”, Baldwin Hills is located in South Los Angeles.  The city was first started in the 1920s when developers were drawn to the panoramic views and prime location between Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and the South Bay. The first homes in Baldwin Hills consisted of nine to 11-room homes in Spanish and English style homes. The almost exclusively white neighborhoods slowly began to change in the 1950s after the Supreme Court struck down the enforcement of racially restrictive covenants in 1948 with the Landmark case of Shelly v. Kramer. 

Throughout the 1960s, the Baldwin Hills area grew as a haven for Black wealthy and upper middle class life in Los Angeles, with many white residents leaving. Today, many celebrities, including Lenny Kravitz and Loretta Devine, have called Baldwin Hills home. Pop culture even spotlighted the city in the 2007 BET reality show Baldwin Hills.

3. Ladera, Heights, CA

Ladera Heights is minutes away from Baldwin Hills and is part of “Black Beverly Hills. The suburb is on the west side of Los Angeles and was ranked by Niche as one of the best places to live in California. In contrast to Baldwin Hills, Ladera Heights escaped the wave of ‘white flight,’ retaining a mix of residents that make it both 60 percent Black and richly diverse. The median home value is $1,593,500.

4. Bowie, MD

Bowie is located in Prince George’s County, the wealthiest majority Black county in the country. Conveniently located only 45 minutes from D.C., Bowie offers a thriving job market where the median household income is $150,576, and 85 percent are homeowners. With the prestigious Howard University less than two hours away, it’s easy to see why 60 percent of residents boast a college degree.

5. Woodmore, MD

Just 15 minutes away from Bowie, Woodmore boasts golf courses, scenic landscapes, and aspirational homes worthy of any dream board. As of 2023, the median household income is $186,713, with 89.5 percent of its residents as homeowners. 

6. Mitchville, MD

The final city in Prince George’s County is Mitchville. Mitchellville serves up a mix of adrenaline and discovery—think roller coasters at Six Flags America and cosmic exploration at the NASA Goddard Visitor Center. The bustling suburban life is excellent for families. The median household income is $144,198.

7. Randallstown, MD

Traveling up north, Randallstown is located in Baltimore County. The city offers residents a dense suburban feel, with the optional weekend getaway to Baltimore being only 30 minutes away. The median income of $88,544 is nowhere near as high as cities in PG County, but there’s a strong Black middle class presence in the city, with 36 percent of residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. Many of the residents work in the STEM field.

8. Olympia Field, IL

This small village, home to 4,718 residents, ranks as the wealthiest and best-educated Black-majority municipality in the country. In 2023, the national Black ownership was only 44 percent. However, in Olympia Field, Black ownership is the norm, with 98 percent of its residents as homeowners. 

9. Hill Crest, NY

Known for its diverse population and lively community, Hillcrest is located in the eastern region of Queens. African Americans are the largest ethnic group at 36.4 percent, followed by 26.4 percent Hispanic and 12.7 Non-white Hispanic. As of 2023, the median household income is $142,260.

10. Cedar Hill, TX

Cedar Hill is part of a cluster of suburbs in South Dallas and has become a stronghold for the Black upper and middle class. The median income is 90,608. With a crime rate lower than the state average and an abundance of parks and trails, the city is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.

Featured image credit: Plan Magazine