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Demographic Analysis of State College, Pennsylvania: A Study of Low Diversity and Racial Composition
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
State College, Pennsylvania, is categorized as a "Low Diversity" community. As of 2022, the white population constitutes 80% of the total, exceeding the 75% threshold for this classification. The city's median income in 2022 was $44,005, with a population of 40,902.
Over the past decade, State College has maintained its status as a "Low Diversity" community. The white population has remained dominant, ranging from 78% to 80% throughout the period. There have been subtle shifts in other racial groups. The Asian population showed a slight increase, from 10% in 2013 to 11% in 2018-2019, before settling back to 10% in recent years. The Black population has remained relatively stable at 3-4%. The Hispanic population has held steady at 4% throughout the decade. The percentage of individuals identifying as two or more races increased from 1% in 2013-2014 to 2% from 2015 onwards.
The median income in State College has shown significant fluctuations over the past decade. From 2013 to 2019, there was a general upward trend, with income rising from $34,910 to $37,389. A substantial jump occurred in 2020 and 2021, with median income reaching $47,900 in 2021. However, 2022 saw a decline to $44,005. These economic shifts do not appear to correlate strongly with the minor demographic changes observed.
State College's persistent low diversity is somewhat atypical for a university town, suggesting that Penn State University's student body may not significantly impact the borough's overall demographics.
Based on the observed trends, State College is likely to remain in the "Low Diversity" category in the near future. The subtle increases in Asian population and those identifying as two or more races suggest a very gradual diversification. If this trend continues and accelerates, State College might eventually transition towards a "Moderate Diversity" category, but this would likely take many years at the current rate of change.
Economically, the recent volatility in median income makes predictions challenging. The significant increase followed by a decrease in the past three years could indicate economic instability or reflect broader economic trends affecting college towns. Future economic trajectories will likely depend on factors such as university enrollment, local business development, and broader regional economic conditions.
While State College shows signs of very gradual diversification and economic fluctuations, its core demographic character as a predominantly white, low-diversity community is likely to persist in the near term, barring any significant external factors or policy changes that could accelerate demographic shifts.
