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Demographic Analysis of Zip Code 35071: White Majority with Increasing Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Zip code 35071 in Gardendale, Alabama, is classified as a "White Majority" community with low to moderate diversity as of 2022. The white population constitutes 78% of the total, which is a significant majority but has been declining over the past decade. The median income of $72,086 in 2022 indicates a relatively affluent suburban area, with a population of 18,058 spread across 62.41 square miles.
Over the past decade, Gardendale has maintained its status as a "White Majority" community, but there is a clear trend towards increasing diversity. The white population has decreased from 89% in 2013 to 78% in 2022, indicating a gradual shift towards a more diverse community. The black population has increased slightly from 8% in 2013 to 11% in 2022, while the Hispanic population has remained relatively stable at around 2-3%. There has also been a notable increase in the "two or more races" category, from less than 1% in 2013 to 4% in 2022.
These changes suggest that Gardendale is transitioning from a "Low Diversity" community to a "Moderate Diversity" one. While it has not reached the threshold for "High Diversity," the trends indicate movement in that direction. The median income in Gardendale has shown modest growth over the past decade, rising from $70,875 in 2013 to $72,086 in 2022. This represents a relatively small increase of about 1.7% over nine years, not accounting for inflation.
The population has seen more significant growth, increasing from 16,493 in 2013 to 18,058 in 2022, a rise of about 9.5%. This population growth, coupled with the increasing diversity, suggests that Gardendale may be attracting new residents from various racial backgrounds. The relatively stable median income despite population growth and increasing diversity could indicate that the new residents are of similar economic status to the existing population, maintaining the community's overall economic profile.
The trend of increasing diversity in suburban areas is consistent with broader national patterns, where many previously homogeneous suburbs are becoming more racially and ethnically diverse. The modest income growth in Gardendale over the past decade is also in line with national trends of slow wage growth, particularly when adjusted for inflation. However, the area's median income remains well above the national median, suggesting it continues to be a relatively affluent suburb.
Gardendale (zip code 35071) appears to be a "Transitional Community," slowly moving from a predominantly white, low-diversity area to a more moderately diverse suburb. This transition has been gradual and has not significantly impacted the area's economic status, suggesting a relatively smooth integration of new residents. As this trend continues, it will be interesting to observe how it might affect local community dynamics, housing markets, and public services in the coming years.
