 87.9% of the population increase from 1940 to 1950 was due to African-Americans moving from other parts of the United States, mostly Louisiana and Texas; most of the migrating African-Americans from rural areas and small towns.1960 the African-American population numbered 215,037, 25.7% of the city population.In the central city, from 1950 to 1960, the African-American population increased by 20,299.