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Demographic Analysis of Altoona, Pennsylvania: A Predominantly White Community with Slight Racial Shifts
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Altoona, Pennsylvania, is classified as a "Low Diversity" community. As of 2022, the white population constitutes 90% of the city's residents, exceeding the 75% threshold for this category. The city's population has decreased from 46,806 in 2010 to 44,003 in 2022. The median income has increased from $37,031 in 2013 to $46,063 in 2022.
Throughout the period from 2013 to 2022, Altoona has remained in the "Low Diversity" category. The white population has decreased from 93% in 2013 to 90% in 2022. The Hispanic population has increased from 1% in 2013 to 2% in 2022. The percentage of residents identifying as two or more races has grown from 1% in 2013 to 4% in 2022. These changes suggest a slow trend towards increased diversity, though not enough to shift the city out of the "Low Diversity" category.
The median income in Altoona has increased by about 24% from 2013 to 2022. This economic improvement has occurred alongside the subtle diversification of the population. However, the population has declined by about 4.5% during this period, suggesting that economic opportunities might be improving for those who remain, but the city may be struggling to retain or attract new residents.
Many small to medium-sized cities in the United States have been experiencing similar trends of slow diversification and population loss, particularly in the Rust Belt region where Altoona is located. The increase in median income, despite population decline, could indicate a shift in the local economy, possibly moving away from traditional industries towards sectors that offer higher wages but require fewer workers.
Based on observed trends, Altoona will likely continue to experience slow demographic changes in the coming years. The city is likely to remain in the "Low Diversity" category for the foreseeable future, but might approach the threshold for "Moderate Diversity" over the next decade if current trends continue. The slight increase in Hispanic population and those identifying as two or more races suggests that Altoona might be on the cusp of becoming a "Transitional Community." However, this transition would likely be very gradual given the current pace of change.
Economically, if the trend of increasing median income continues alongside population decline, it could lead to a more affluent but smaller community. This could potentially result in changes to the local housing market and business landscape, catering to a smaller but wealthier population.
In conclusion, Altoona remains a predominantly white, low-diversity community. Subtle shifts in demographics and steady economic growth suggest a slow evolution towards a more diverse and potentially more prosperous future, albeit with challenges related to population retention and growth.
