Originally a large residential neighborhood, the majority of the area was demolished in the mid-20th century for the construction of highway interchanges and an industrial park known as Queensgate.

[3] Combined with other projects such as Richmond-Laurel, this caused massive amounts of displacement, leading to 50,452 Cincinnatians being forced to relocate or move elsewhere in the city from 1950 to 1970.

[4] Controversy erupted in 2005 when plans were announced to open a $15-million "one-stop" social services facility at 800 Bank Street.

[6] Some argued that it would increase crime and poverty in the West End, decrease property value, and undermine the redevelopment there.

[6] However, proponents argued that the West End's central location makes it easy for the poor to access.

[6] A lawsuit to stop the CityLink project failed, as did the subsequent appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court.

[5] CityLink Center has since launched in 2013, serving over 3,000 Cincinnati residents since that time including over 250 from the West End neighborhood.

[citation needed] West End is home to multiple historic buildings and districts listed on the National Register.

[1] According to the U.S. Census American Community Survey, for the period 2016-2020 the estimated median annual income for a household in the neighborhood was $19,499.