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Demographic Analysis of Allentown: A Low Diversity Neighborhood with White Majority
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Allentown, a neighborhood in Alma, New York, currently exhibits a Low Diversity demographic profile with a clear White Majority. As of 2022, the community has a population of 1,426 and a median income of $49,019. Allentown is known for its rural character and proximity to the Allegheny River, which has historically influenced its economic and demographic composition.
Over the past decade, Allentown has consistently maintained its status as a Low Diversity community with a White Majority. In 2013, the white population constituted 99% of the total, and while this percentage has slightly decreased to 96% by 2022, it still firmly places the neighborhood in the Low Diversity category. The Black population has grown from 0% in 2013 to 2% in 2022. The Hispanic population has fluctuated between 0-2% throughout the decade. The Two or More Races category emerged in 2016 and has remained stable at 1-2%.
The median income in Allentown has shown an overall upward trend, increasing from $38,724 in 2013 to $49,019 in 2022, representing a growth of about 26.6% over the decade. A significant jump in median income occurred between 2020 and 2021, from $48,907 to $55,005, followed by a decrease in 2022. The population has steadily declined from 2,063 in 2013 to 1,426 in 2022, a decrease of about 30.9%. The inverse relationship between population decline and income growth suggests that while the community is becoming smaller, those who remain or move in may be more affluent.
Allentown's demographic profile remains predominantly white, its subtle shift towards increased diversity aligns with broader national trends of increasing diversity in rural and small-town America. However, the pace of change in Allentown is significantly slower than national averages.
The median income growth in Allentown (26.6% over a decade) outpaces the national average, which typically sees about 15-20% growth over a similar period. This suggests that despite its small size and population decline, Allentown has experienced relatively robust economic growth.
The population decline in Allentown is more severe than typical trends for small towns in the United States, which often see stagnation or slight declines. This sharp decrease could be related to various factors such as limited job opportunities, an aging population, or migration to urban areas.
While Allentown remains a Low Diversity, White Majority community, it shows subtle signs of demographic change coupled with significant economic improvements. The challenge for the community moving forward will be to balance its economic growth with efforts to attract and retain a diverse population, which could be crucial for its long-term sustainability and vitality.
