Demographic Analysis of Zip Code 06796: Predominantly White Population with Slight Diversity Increase
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
DATA SOURCE
The zip code 06796 in West Cornwall, Connecticut, is classified as having Low Diversity as of 2022, with a predominantly White population of 86%. The area has undergone minor demographic changes over the past decade, transitioning from a highly homogeneous community to one with a small but increasing presence of other racial groups. The median income in the area has shown steady growth, reaching $90,084 in 2022, indicating an affluent community.
From 2013 to 2022, West Cornwall has maintained a Low Diversity classification, with the White population remaining dominant throughout this period. However, there are indications of a gradual shift towards increased diversity. The White population decreased from 97% in 2013 to 86% in 2022. Concurrently, there were increases in other racial groups: the Asian population rose from 0% to 4%, the Black population from 0% to 3%, the Hispanic population from 0% to 4%, and those of two or more races from 1% to 3%. While these changes are modest, they suggest the potential beginnings of a Transitional Community, with the area slowly becoming more diverse over time.
The economic trends in West Cornwall have been positive. The median income has shown a consistent increase from $74,078 in 2013 to $81,241 in 2017, and further to $90,084 in 2022. This represents a 21.6% increase in median income over a decade, surpassing inflation rates and indicating growing prosperity in the community. The rising income levels coincide with the gradual increase in diversity, suggesting that the area may be attracting more affluent individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Population trends reveal a slight decline from 1,014 in 2013 to 888 in 2022, a decrease of approximately 12.4%. This could indicate a shift in community composition, potentially related to housing costs or changing demographics.
The increase in diversity, although small, aligns with broader national trends of increasing diversity in many communities across the United States. The strong growth in median income suggests that West Cornwall may be economically outperforming many other areas, potentially making it an attractive location for affluent individuals from diverse backgrounds. The population decline, despite rising incomes, could indicate a trend towards smaller household sizes or a transition in the type of residents. The area's continued low diversity, despite some changes, suggests it may be lagging behind national trends in diversity growth, possibly due to its rural nature or other local factors.
In conclusion, West Cornwall remains a predominantly White, Low Diversity community, but there are signs of gradual change towards increased diversity. This shift is occurring alongside strong economic growth, as evidenced by rising median incomes. These trends suggest that the area may be in the early stages of a demographic transition, potentially moving towards a more diverse and economically robust future, though changes are happening at a slower pace compared to many urban and suburban areas across the country.
