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Demographic Analysis of Zip Code 08316: A Predominantly White Community with Emerging Racial Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Zip code 08316 in Dorchester, New Jersey, represents a community with low racial diversity, categorized as a "White Majority" area. The 2022 data shows 83% of the population as white. The median income in 2022 was $66,776, slightly below the 2021 figure, indicating a minor economic downturn.
Dorchester has consistently maintained its status as a "White Majority" community over the past decade. The white population has fluctuated but remained dominant, ranging from 71% to 96% between 2013 and 2022. There has been a noticeable increase in the Hispanic population, from 3% in 2015 to 13% in 2022, suggesting a trend towards a "Transitional Community." Data for the black population is limited, but it showed 13% in 2020, indicating some diversity not seen in other years.
These changes suggest a slow but steady movement towards increased diversity, though the area still falls under the "Low Diversity" category due to the white population's continued dominance. The median income has shown fluctuations over the years. The highest median income was recorded at $78,571 in 2017. Since 2017, there has been a gradual decrease in median income, reaching $66,776 in 2022. The period of highest income (2016-2018) coincides with years of slightly lower white population percentage, suggesting that increased diversity might have temporarily corresponded with economic growth.
Population trends show a decline from 48 in 2010 to 30 in 2022, which could indicate outmigration or demographic shifts affecting the community's composition.
The gradual increase in Hispanic population aligns with national trends of growing Hispanic communities in various parts of the U.S. The rise and subsequent decline in median income might mirror broader economic cycles, including recovery from the 2008 recession and more recent economic challenges. The decrease in population could be part of a larger trend of population decline in rural or small-town areas, as people move to urban centers for economic opportunities.
Dorchester remains predominantly white with low diversity, but there are signs of a slow transition towards a more diverse community. This demographic shift, coupled with recent economic challenges as evidenced by the declining median income, suggests that the area is experiencing subtle but significant changes. These trends may continue to reshape the community's socio-economic landscape in the coming years, potentially leading to a more diverse and dynamic local environment.
