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Demographic Analysis of Chatham, Massachusetts (02650): Predominantly White Population
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Chatham, Massachusetts (zip code 02650) is a community with low diversity and a strong white majority. As of 2022, the white population comprises 97% of the total population of 923. The median income is $79,862.
Over the past decade, Chatham has maintained its status as a white majority community. From 2013 to 2017, the area showed potential to become a transitional community, with the percentage of white residents decreasing from 93% to 88% and Hispanic representation increasing to 7%. However, this trend reversed from 2018 onwards, with the community reverting to low diversity status.
By 2022, the white population reached 97%, the highest in the observed period. The Black population, which was around 3-4% from 2013 to 2019, decreased to 0% by 2022. The Hispanic population, which peaked at 7% in 2017, also declined to 0% by 2022. There has been a slight increase in residents identifying as two or more races, from 0% in 2015 to 2% in 2022.
The median income has fluctuated over the years, peaking at $99,383 in 2013 and reaching its lowest point at $78,801 in 2020. The period of slightly higher diversity (2013-2017) coincided with higher median incomes, ranging from $85,428 to $99,383. As the community became less diverse from 2018 onwards, median incomes generally decreased, with some fluctuations. The population has remained relatively stable, ranging from 795 to 952 residents over the decade.
Chatham's demographic trend appears to be counter to many national trends, which often show increasing diversity over time. The high percentage of white residents (97% in 2022) is significantly above the national average, which is typically around 60-65% for the white non-Hispanic population. The median income, even at its lowest point, remains well above the national median household income (which was around $67,000 in 2020), indicating that Chatham is a relatively affluent area.
Chatham presents a case of a community that briefly showed signs of increasing diversity but has since reverted to a highly homogeneous demographic profile. This trend, coupled with its consistently high (though fluctuating) median income, suggests a community that may be becoming increasingly exclusive, possibly due to rising property values or other socio-economic factors that could be limiting access for more diverse populations.
