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Demographic Analysis of Pittsburgh Zip Code 15208: Transition from Black Majority to Black Plurality
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Zip code 15208 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is categorized as a Majority-Minority community with Moderate Diversity as of 2022. The area has a population of 9,665 and a median income of $68,270. The racial composition shows no single group exceeding 50%, with Black residents comprising 48% and White residents 42%. This demographic makeup reflects a diverse urban environment characteristic of many evolving neighborhoods in mid-sized American cities.
Over the past decade, this zip code has undergone a significant demographic transition. In 2013, it was categorized as having a Black Majority, with 59% of the population identifying as Black. By 2022, this had shifted to a Majority-Minority status with Moderate Diversity. The Black population decreased from 59% to 48%, while the White population increased from 34% to 42%. This trend indicates a gradual but consistent diversification of the area.
The community has also seen an increase in other racial groups, particularly those identifying as two or more races (from 1% in 2013 to 4% in 2022) and Hispanic (from 1% to 2%). This further contributes to the area's growing diversity and could potentially categorize it as a Transitional Community, showing a clear trend towards increased racial mix over the past decade.
Alongside these demographic shifts, the area has experienced significant economic growth. The median income has risen from $49,467 in 2013 to $68,270 in 2022, an increase of about 38%. This substantial income growth correlates with the changing racial composition, suggesting a possible influx of higher-income residents, potentially contributing to the increased percentage of White residents and the overall diversification of the area.
The population has slightly decreased from 10,382 in 2013 to 9,665 in 2022. This could indicate a trend of gentrification, where lower-income residents are being replaced by fewer, but higher-income residents.
The demographic and economic trends observed in this Pittsburgh zip code align with patterns seen in many urban areas across the United States over the past decade. Many cities have experienced increasing diversity, often accompanied by rising incomes in certain neighborhoods. This process, sometimes referred to as "gentrification," can bring both positive changes and challenges.
The income growth in this area (38% over 9 years) outpaces the national average, which saw about a 25% increase in median household income from 2013 to 2022. This above-average growth could indicate that this zip code is experiencing more rapid economic changes than many other parts of the country.
Zip code 15208 in Pittsburgh exemplifies a community in transition, moving from a predominantly Black neighborhood to a more diverse, higher-income area. This shift brings both opportunities and potential challenges for community cohesion and equitable development, reflecting broader urban demographic and economic trends observed across many U.S. cities in recent years.
