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Demographic Analysis of Zip Code 21046: Transition to Moderate Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Zip code 21046 in Columbia, Maryland, is classified as a "Moderate Diversity" community as of 2022. The population of 15,954 has a median income of $122,388, indicating an affluent and diverse suburb. The racial composition shows no single group exceeding 50%, with white residents forming a plurality at 51%, followed by Black (30%) and Asian (8%) populations.
Over the past decade, this zip code has transitioned from a "White Majority" community to one of "Moderate Diversity." In 2013, white residents constituted 59% of the population, meeting the criteria for a "Racial Majority." By 2022, this percentage decreased to 51%, maintaining a plurality. The Black population increased from 24% in 2013 to 30% in 2022. The Asian population remained relatively stable, while the Hispanic population grew from 4% to 7%. These shifts indicate a trend towards increased diversity.
The community shows signs of being a "Transitional Community," with consistent increases in the Hispanic population and those identifying as two or more races over the past five years. The demographic shifts have occurred alongside a general upward trend in median income. From $115,702 in 2013, the median income rose to $122,388 in 2022, with a peak of $135,547 in 2021. This suggests that the increasing diversity has not led to economic decline; rather, the area has maintained its affluent status while becoming more diverse.
The population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between about 15,400 and 16,100 over the decade. This stability, combined with rising incomes and increasing diversity, suggests a gradual change in the community's composition rather than rapid turnover or displacement.
The trends observed in this zip code align with broader national patterns of increasing diversity in suburban areas, particularly those near major metropolitan centers. The Washington D.C. metropolitan area, which includes Columbia, has been experiencing similar demographic shifts, with growing minority populations in historically white-majority suburbs.
The median income in this zip code ($122,388 in 2022) is significantly higher than the national median household income (about $70,784 in 2021), indicating that this is a particularly affluent area even as it becomes more diverse. This counters some national trends where increasing diversity in suburbs has sometimes been associated with economic challenges.
The stability of the Asian population percentage and the modest growth of the Hispanic population reflect broader national demographic trends, though the increase in the Black population is more pronounced in this zip code than in many other suburban areas nationally.
Zip code 21046 in Columbia, Maryland, exemplifies a transitioning suburban community that is becoming more diverse while maintaining its economic strength. This evolution reflects broader national trends towards increased suburban diversity, but with the distinct characteristic of preserving high median incomes. As the community continues to change, it will be interesting to observe whether it moves towards "High Diversity" or stabilizes in its current state of "Moderate Diversity."
