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Demographic Shifts in Plumbridge: From White Majority to Moderate Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Plumbridge neighborhood in Levittown, Pennsylvania, currently exhibits characteristics of a Moderate Diversity community with a White Plurality. As of 2022, the white population comprises 53% of the neighborhood, with significant Black (20%) and Hispanic (17%) populations. The median income stands at $67,010, reflecting a middle-class suburban area. Plumbridge is known for its distinctive Levittown-style homes, which were part of one of America's first planned suburban communities developed in the post-World War II era.
Over the past decade, Plumbridge has undergone a notable transition from a White Majority community to one of Moderate Diversity. In 2013, the neighborhood was categorized as having Low Diversity, with the white population comprising 71% of residents. However, by 2022, this percentage had decreased to 53%, just barely maintaining a White Plurality status. The most significant changes occurred in the Black and Hispanic populations. The Black population increased from 11% in 2013 to 20% in 2022, while the Hispanic population grew from 8% to 17% during the same period. This shift indicates a Transitional Community, with increasing diversity becoming a clear trend.
The Asian population has remained relatively stable, hovering around 7-13% throughout the decade, contributing to the overall diversity of the neighborhood. The demographic shifts in Plumbridge have been accompanied by fluctuations in median income. In 2013, the median income was $57,972, which saw a decline to $50,525 by 2016. However, there was a significant upturn, peaking at $78,516 in 2021 before settling at $67,010 in 2022.
The periods of increased diversity seem to correlate with higher median incomes. For instance, the sharp increase in median income from 2016 to 2017 (from $50,525 to $68,172) coincided with a notable increase in the Black and Hispanic populations. This suggests that the influx of diverse residents may have brought economic benefits to the neighborhood. The population of Plumbridge has fluctuated over the years, peaking at 3,368 in 2013 and declining to 2,272 by 2022. This population decrease, coupled with increasing diversity and rising median income, might indicate a shift in the neighborhood's socio-economic composition.
The demographic changes in Plumbridge reflect broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban areas. Many post-war suburban communities, like Levittown, which were initially predominantly white, have seen significant increases in racial and ethnic diversity over the past few decades. The economic trajectory of Plumbridge, with its recent upturn in median income, aligns with national trends of economic recovery and growth following the 2008 recession. However, the sharp increase in median income from 2020 to 2021 (from $63,098 to $78,516) is particularly notable and may reflect larger economic shifts related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as changes in employment patterns or housing preferences.
Plumbridge has evolved from a Low Diversity, White Majority community to a Moderate Diversity, Transitional Community with a White Plurality over the past decade. This demographic shift has been accompanied by economic changes, with recent years showing an upturn in median income. These trends reflect broader patterns of suburban diversification and economic fluctuations, positioning Plumbridge as a microcosm of evolving American suburban landscapes.
