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Demographic Analysis of West Kill, NY (12480): Racial Composition and Economic Trends from 2013 to 2022
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
West Kill, New York (zip code 12480) is categorized as a "Low Diversity" community, with a predominantly white population (74% in 2022). The area has experienced demographic shifts over the past decade, transitioning from a higher level of homogeneity to its current state. As of 2022, the median income was $48,765, and the population was 499, indicating a small, rural community.
From 2013 to 2022, West Kill has consistently maintained a "Low Diversity" classification, with the white population remaining the dominant racial group. There is a trend towards increasing diversity. The white population decreased from 89% in 2013 to 74% in 2022. The Hispanic population increased from 3% in 2013 to 6% in 2022, peaking at 22% in 2020. The Asian population increased from 6% in 2013 to 7% in 2022. The "Two or More Races" category emerged, growing from 0% in 2013 to 9% in 2022.
The median income has shown overall growth, rising from $40,981 in 2013 to $48,765 in 2022, an increase of about 19%. This growth has not been steady. A significant increase occurred between 2015 and 2016 (from $41,543 to $49,914). The highest median income was recorded in 2021 at $53,144. The population has decreased significantly, from 637 in 2013 to 499 in 2022, a reduction of about 22%.
As the community has become slightly more diverse, there has been a general upward trend in median income. This could suggest that increasing diversity might be linked to economic opportunities or changes in the local economy. The population decline, coupled with increasing diversity and rising incomes, might indicate a shift in the community's composition. Possibly, younger, more diverse families with higher incomes are moving in as older residents move out or pass away.
The spike in Hispanic population (22% in 2020) coincides with a dip in median income that year ($48,221), which could suggest an influx of Hispanic workers in lower-paying jobs. However, this was short-lived, as both the Hispanic percentage and median income readjusted in subsequent years.
West Kill's trends align with some broader national patterns. Rural areas across the US have been experiencing population declines, similar to West Kill's decrease. The gradual increase in diversity, particularly in Hispanic and multiracial categories, reflects national trends of increasing diversity in previously homogeneous communities. The overall increase in median income, despite fluctuations, aligns with general economic growth trends in the US over the past decade.
West Kill is a small, predominantly white community showing signs of gradual diversification and economic growth, despite population decline. These changes suggest a community in transition, potentially influenced by broader demographic and economic shifts occurring across rural America.
