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Demographic Analysis of Zip Code 04474: A Low Diversity, White Majority Community
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Zip code 04474 in Brewer, Maine, exhibits characteristics of a Low Diversity community with a strong White Majority. As of 2022, the white population comprises 98% of the total, which has been consistently high throughout the observed period. The area has seen modest population growth, increasing from 3,775 in 2010 to 3,891 in 2022, alongside significant fluctuations in median income.
Throughout the 2010-2022 period, this zip code has maintained its status as a Low Diversity, White Majority community. There have been minimal changes in racial composition, with the white population consistently representing over 95% of the total. The most notable shift was a slight increase in diversity between 2015-2017, where the percentage of residents identifying as two or more races reached 3%. However, this trend did not continue, reverting to 1% by 2022.
The community has not transitioned between diversity categories during this period, remaining firmly in the Low Diversity classification. The lack of significant demographic change suggests a stable, homogeneous community with limited influx of diverse populations.
Despite the demographic stability, the area has experienced notable economic fluctuations. The median income data shows considerable variability. From 2013 to 2016, there was a downward trend in median income, dropping from $65,349 to $56,726. A recovery period followed from 2017 to 2021, with median income rising significantly to peak at $82,348 in 2021. However, 2022 saw a sharp decline to $69,151, nearly returning to 2019 levels.
These economic shifts do not appear to correlate strongly with the minor demographic changes observed. The stability in racial composition suggests that economic factors have not significantly influenced the racial makeup of the community or vice versa.
The demographic profile of this zip code stands in contrast to national trends towards increasing diversity. While many urban and suburban areas across the United States have seen growing minority populations and increased racial mix, this area of Brewer has maintained its predominantly white composition.
The economic volatility, particularly the sharp increase and subsequent decrease in median income between 2020 and 2022, may reflect broader economic trends related to the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. The initial rise could be attributed to pandemic-related factors such as stimulus payments or shifts in high-paying remote work opportunities, while the subsequent decline might indicate a return to pre-pandemic economic conditions or the impact of inflation.
In conclusion, while this zip code has experienced significant economic fluctuations over the past decade, its racial demographics have remained remarkably stable, characterizing it as a Low Diversity, White Majority community throughout the period. The lack of demographic change in the face of economic variability suggests a deeply rooted community structure that has been resistant to the diversification trends observed in many other parts of the country.
