A little bit about the area (thanks to Rose Berger, an associate editor at Sojourners):
- The population of Columbia Heights is ethnically predominantly black, with large Salvadoran, Ethiopian and Vietnamese contingents.
- In 2007, the population distribution of D.C. in general was 55.6% black, 36.3% white, 8.3% Hispanic (of any race), 5% other, and 3.1% Asian.
- Also in 2007, violent crime in D.C. was more than three times the national average, with the larger Columbia Heights area being one of the top three areas in the city for violent crime.
- About 33% of D.C. residents are functionally illiterate, compared to the national average of 20%.
Also, this may be the first place I’ve lived where the police drive around with their lights on, just so people know they’re there.