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Demographic Analysis of Ouray, Colorado: Predominantly White Population with Low Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Ouray, Colorado, exhibits a demographic profile categorized as "Low Diversity" based on established criteria. As of 2022, the white population comprises 92% of the total, exceeding the 75% threshold for this classification. The city has a population of 664 and a median income of $69,528, representing a small, predominantly white community with a moderate income level.
Over the past decade, Ouray has maintained its status as a "Low Diversity" community. From 2013 to 2016, there was a slight increase in diversity, with the white population decreasing from 95% to 87%. After 2016, the community reverted to a stronger "Low Diversity" status, with the white population reaching 97% by 2021 before slightly decreasing to 92% in 2022. The Hispanic population has shown the most variability, peaking at 10% in 2016 but declining to 2% by 2021 before rising again to 6% in 2022.
The median income in Ouray has fluctuated over the years. There was a general downward trend from 2013 ($66,220) to 2018 ($58,790), coinciding with the period of slightly increased diversity. From 2019 onwards, there has been a recovery and growth in median income, reaching $69,528 in 2022. This aligns with the period of decreased diversity and strengthened white majority. The population has grown modestly from 525 in 2010 to 664 in 2022, indicating a slow but steady increase in the city's size.
Ouray appears to be moving counter to national trends towards increased diversity in many urban and suburban areas, maintaining and even strengthening its status as a predominantly white community. This could be indicative of broader patterns in small, rural communities or mountain towns that often maintain more homogeneous populations compared to larger urban centers.
Based on observed trends, it seems likely that Ouray will continue to maintain its "Low Diversity" status in the near future. However, the recent uptick in the Hispanic population (from 2% in 2021 to 6% in 2022) could signal the beginning of a shift. If this trend continues and accelerates, Ouray might transition towards a "Moderate Diversity" category over the next 5-10 years.
Economically, the upward trend in median income is likely to continue, potentially attracting more residents and possibly contributing to gradual diversification. However, this growth might also lead to increased housing costs, which could limit diversity by making the area less accessible to lower-income groups.
In conclusion, while Ouray currently remains a "Low Diversity" community with a strong white majority, recent subtle shifts suggest the potential for slow change. Monitoring these trends in the coming years will be crucial to understanding whether Ouray is on the cusp of a demographic transition or if it will maintain its current composition.
