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Demographic Analysis of South Barre, Vermont: A Low Diversity Neighborhood with White Majority
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
South Barre, Vermont is categorized as a "Low Diversity" neighborhood with a "White Majority" based on demographic terms. As of 2022, the white population comprises 91% of the community, exceeding the 75% threshold for low diversity. The median income in 2022 was $47,725, lower than the national median household income. South Barre is a small, rural community in central Vermont, with historical ties to the granite industry.
Over the past decade, South Barre has maintained its status as a "Low Diversity" community with a "White Majority." The white population decreased from 95% in 2014 to 91% in 2022. The black population increased from 1% in 2014 to 4% in 2022. The "two or more races" category grew from 1% in 2014 to 3% in 2022, with a peak of 6% in 2021. These changes have not been substantial enough to shift South Barre into a different diversity category.
The median income in South Barre has fluctuated over the past decade. It peaked in 2015 at $57,042 and reached its lowest point in 2022 at $47,725. There is a noticeable decline in median income from 2021 to 2022, dropping from $58,169 to $47,725, an 18% decrease. The population has also fluctuated, with a low of 2,336 in 2019 and a high of 3,138 in 2013. The current population of 2,626 in 2022 represents a slight increase from recent years but is still below the peak seen earlier in the decade.
The slight increase in diversity coincides with a period of economic volatility, particularly the recent sharp decline in median income. The population decline from 2013 to 2019 occurred alongside relative stability in the racial composition, suggesting that outmigration affected all racial groups similarly.
Vermont is known for being one of the least diverse states in the U.S., with a predominantly white population. South Barre's demographic composition aligns with this broader state trend. The gradual increase in diversity mirrors national trends of increasing diversity in rural communities. The economic challenges faced by South Barre, particularly the recent drop in median income, may reflect broader issues affecting rural communities nationwide, such as the decline of traditional industries and limited economic opportunities. The fluctuations in population could be indicative of challenges in retaining younger residents or attracting new families to the area.
South Barre remains a low-diversity, white-majority community, experiencing subtle demographic shifts and significant economic challenges. These changes may signal the beginning of a longer-term transition in the community's composition and economic structure, potentially moving towards becoming a "Transitional Community" in the coming years if current trends continue.
