Loading Content...
Demographic Analysis of Zip Code 22725: Racial Composition and Economic Trends in Brightwood, Virginia
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The zip code 22725 in Brightwood, Virginia, was categorized as having Low Diversity as of 2022. The population is 83% white, which classifies it as a community dominated by one racial group with minimal representation from others. The current median income is $45,931, which is significantly lower than in previous years, indicating potential economic challenges.
Over the past decade, Brightwood has maintained its status as a Low Diversity community. The white population has remained the dominant racial group, fluctuating between 76% and 87% of the total population. The Black population has fluctuated, peaking at 11% in 2015 but declining to 6% by 2022. The Hispanic population showed a slight increase from 2% to 6% between 2013 and 2019, although recent data is unavailable. The population identifying as two or more races has shown the most significant growth, increasing from 5% in 2013 to 10% in 2022.
The median income in Brightwood has shown significant volatility over the past decade. The highest median income was recorded in 2017 at $89,627. There has been a sharp decline in median income from $85,917 in 2019 to $45,931 in 2022, representing a nearly 50% decrease in three years. The population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 100 and 143 residents over the decade.
Brightwood is a very small, rural community with a population of 126 in a 1.47 square mile area. Such areas often face challenges in economic diversification and may be more vulnerable to economic shocks. The extreme fluctuations in median income, particularly the recent sharp decline, are unusual and may reflect broader economic challenges in the region or changes in the local job market.
While the community remains predominantly white, the gradual increase in residents identifying as two or more races suggests a slow trend towards greater diversity. This aligns with national trends of increasing multiracial populations, especially in younger generations. The recent significant drop in median income could lead to increased economic pressure on the community, potentially affecting local services, housing markets, and overall quality of life.
In conclusion, while Brightwood has maintained its status as a Low Diversity community over the past decade, subtle shifts in racial composition and dramatic changes in median income suggest a community in transition. The economic challenges evidenced by the recent income decline may have far-reaching effects on the community's future demographic and socio-economic landscape.
