Loading Content...
Demographic Analysis of Zip Code 01002: White Majority with Increasing Racial Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
As of 2022, zip code 01002 in Amherst Town, Massachusetts, is classified as a "White Majority" community with moderate diversity. The white population comprises 70% of the total, while other racial groups have significant representation. The median income for 2022 was $68,180, showing a slight decrease from the previous year but an overall increase over the past decade.
Over the past decade, Amherst Town has maintained its status as a "White Majority" community, but with a clear trend towards increasing diversity. The white population has gradually decreased from 74% in 2013 to 70% in 2022, indicating a slow but steady shift towards a more diverse racial composition.
The community has been showing signs of becoming a "Transitional Community," particularly with the growth in the Hispanic population (from 7% in 2013 to 8% in 2022) and a significant increase in those identifying as two or more races (from 2% in 2013 to 7% in 2022). This trend suggests a growing multiracial and multicultural presence in the community.
The Asian population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 11-13% throughout the decade, contributing to the area's moderate diversity. The Black population has shown a slight increase from 4% in 2013 to 6% in 2021, though it decreased to 4% again in 2022.
The median income in Amherst Town has shown overall growth over the past decade, rising from $58,269 in 2013 to $68,180 in 2022, an increase of about 17%. However, this growth has not been steady, with fluctuations observed throughout the years. Notably, there was a significant jump in median income to $75,476 in 2021, followed by a decrease in 2022.
The population of the zip code has remained relatively stable over the decade, hovering around 31,000-32,000 residents until 2021. However, there was a notable decrease in population to 26,257 in 2022, which could potentially be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the local university population.
The demographic shifts observed in Amherst Town align with broader national trends towards increasing diversity, particularly in university towns. The growth in the multiracial population is consistent with national patterns, as the U.S. has seen a significant increase in people identifying as two or more races in recent years.
The economic trends in Amherst Town, including the overall increase in median income, generally reflect positive economic growth seen in many parts of the country over the past decade. However, the recent decrease in both population and median income in 2022 may be indicative of broader challenges faced by many communities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly those with a significant student population.
Amherst Town remains a White Majority community, but it is clearly transitioning towards greater diversity. This demographic evolution, coupled with overall positive economic growth, suggests a dynamic community adapting to changing societal norms and economic conditions. The recent population decrease and income fluctuations highlight the potential vulnerabilities of university towns to external shocks like the pandemic, and may present both challenges and opportunities for community development in the coming years.
