1 census tracts · pop 3,018 · pop-weighted Eviction Risk Score 5.9/10
· range 5.9–5.9
West Lake Highlands is a black (non-hispanic) neighborhood in Bessemer with 1 census tract and a population of 3,018 residents. The neighborhood's pop-weighted eviction-risk score of 5.9/10 (Moderate tier) blends state law, county-level filing rates, parent-city politics, and tract-specific rent-to-income ratios + poverty. 61% of renters here pay at least 30% of household income on rent, and 20% are severely cost-burdened (≥50% of income). Average gross rent of $878/month sits 9% lower than the Bessemer citywide average ($961).
Risk score
5.9
Moderate
1 tracts · population-weighted
West Lake Highlands vs BessemerHow this neighborhood stacks against the citywide average
Single-parent HH, disability, language barriers, age 17- / 65+
Racial/ethnic minority84%ile
Hispanic + non-white share of population
Housing & transport78%ile
Multi-unit structures, mobile homes, crowding, no vehicle
Eviction filings · Princeton Eviction Lab
Court-record eviction history in West Lake Highlands
Aggregated across 1 validated constituent tract. Filing rate is filings per 100 renter households, pop-weighted.
Historic baseline (2000–2018)
189Total filings (sum)
3.48%Avg annual filing rate
4.5%Peak year (2005)
3.99%Latest filed (2016)
CDC PLACES 2023 · pop-weighted
Eviction-adjacent indicators in West Lake Highlands
Average across all constituent tracts, population-weighted. Source: CDC PLACES (cwsq-ngmh) crude prevalence.
30.5%Housing insecurity
24.3%Utility shutoff threat
45.4%Food insecurity
41.7%SNAP enrollment
17.2%No health insurance
50.0%Any disability
Frequently asked
About West Lake Highlands
Q1
What is the eviction-risk score for West Lake Highlands?
West Lake Highlands scores 5.9/10 (Moderate tier) across 1 census tracts. The pop-weighted Eviction Risk Score blends state law, county filing rates, parent-city politics, and tract-specific rent-to-income and poverty signals.
Q2
How does West Lake Highlands compare to Bessemer overall?
West Lake Highlands scores 3.2 points higher than Bessemer overall (2.7/10). Renters spend 61% of income on rent vs 32% citywide. Average rent: $878 vs $961.
Q3
What is the average rent in West Lake Highlands?
Average gross rent in West Lake Highlands is $878/month (pop-weighted across 1 census tracts, ACS 5-year 2023). 61% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Q4
What percentage of West Lake Highlands residents are renters?
44% of West Lake Highlands households are renter-occupied (vs 43% in Bessemer). The neighborhood has 3,018 residents.
Q5
Is West Lake Highlands a high social-vulnerability area?
West Lake Highlands sits in the 89th percentile nationally on the CDC Social Vulnerability Index (highly vulnerable). The index combines poverty, unemployment, household composition, racial/ethnic minority share, and housing/transportation factors across all US census tracts.
Q6
How safe is West Lake Highlands for landlords?
West Lake Highlands carries a moderate-tier eviction-risk profile for landlords (5.9/10). Pop-weighted across 1 constituent tracts, the score blends parent-city rent-control posture, county eviction-process timelines, and tract-specific rent-to-income / poverty signals. Compared to Bessemer as a whole (2.7/10), this neighborhood is higher-risk.
Q7
What is the demographic breakdown of West Lake Highlands?
West Lake Highlands has 2,828 residents (Black (non-Hispanic) Neighborhood). Top groups: Black (non-Hispanic) (74.6%), White (non-Hispanic) (20.6%), Hispanic / Latino (3.7%). Source: ACS 5-year 2023, table B03002.
