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Demographic Analysis of Effingham, Illinois: A Study of Racial Composition and Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Effingham, Illinois, exhibits characteristics of Low Diversity, with a predominantly White population (93% as of 2022). The city's median income has shown steady growth over the past decade, reaching $61,744 in 2022. This economic progress, coupled with a relatively stable population of around 16,000 residents, paints a picture of a small, economically steady Midwestern community.
Throughout the analyzed period (2013-2022), Effingham has consistently fallen under the Low Diversity category. The White population has remained the Racial Majority, though there has been a slight decrease from 95% in 2013 to 93% in 2022. This minor shift suggests the beginnings of a very slow diversification process.
The Hispanic population has shown a small but notable increase from 3% to 4% between 2013 and 2021, before slightly decreasing back to 3% in 2022. The category of Two or More Races has doubled from 1% to 2% over the decade, indicating a gradual increase in multiracial residents.
Black and Asian populations have emerged in the data, each representing 1% of the population by 2022, where they were not measurably present in 2013. This suggests a slow but steady introduction of new racial groups to the community.
The median income in Effingham has shown consistent growth, rising from $52,399 in 2013 to $61,744 in 2022, an increase of about 17.8% over nine years. This growth outpaces inflation for the same period, indicating real economic progress for the community.
The periods of more rapid income growth (2016-2017 and 2020-2021) coincide with slight increases in racial diversity, suggesting a possible correlation between economic growth and increased diversity. However, the overall population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between about 16,000 and 16,500 residents.
Effingham's demographic makeup is notably less diverse than national averages. The United States as a whole has been trending towards increased diversity, with many urban and suburban areas experiencing more rapid demographic shifts than what is observed in Effingham. The city's economic growth, however, appears to be in line with national trends of rising median incomes over the past decade.
Based on the observed trends, it is likely that Effingham will continue to experience slow but steady diversification over the coming years. While the community is likely to remain in the Low Diversity category in the near term, it may be on a trajectory towards eventually becoming a Transitional Community.
The Hispanic population and those identifying as Two or More Races are the demographic groups showing the most consistent growth. If these trends continue, coupled with the emerging presence of Black and Asian residents, Effingham could see a more noticeable shift in its racial composition over the next decade.
Economically, the steady growth in median income is likely to continue, potentially attracting more diverse residents seeking economic opportunities. This could further accelerate the diversification process, albeit from a very homogeneous starting point.
While Effingham remains a predominantly White, Low Diversity community, subtle signs of demographic change are evident. The city's economic growth may serve as a catalyst for increased diversity in the future, potentially leading to a gradual transition towards a more diverse community structure in the long term.
