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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Zip code 36584 in Vinegar Bend, Alabama, is classified as a "White Majority" community as of 2022. The white population comprises 69% of the total, meeting the criterion of a racial group constituting over 50% of the population. The community exhibits moderate diversity, with a significant Black population of 26% and small percentages of Asian and Hispanic residents.
Over the past decade, Vinegar Bend has maintained its "White Majority" status, albeit with notable fluctuations. From 2013 to 2017, there was a trend towards increased diversity, with the white population decreasing from 65% to 61% and the Black population increasing from 21% to 39%. From 2018 to 2022, a slight reversal occurred, with the white population increasing from 72% to 69% and the Black population decreasing from 32% to 26%. Small but consistent growth in Asian and Hispanic populations has been observed since 2018, indicating a gradual trend towards increased diversity.
The economic landscape of Vinegar Bend has undergone significant changes over the past decade. From 2013 to 2019, the community experienced relative economic prosperity, with median incomes ranging from $56,487 to $72,056. However, a dramatic economic downturn began in 2020. The median income decreased from $67,304 in 2019 to $30,253 in 2020, further declining to $21,434 in 2021 before slightly recovering to $29,832 in 2022. This economic decline coincided with a significant population decrease, from 1,038 in 2019 to 726 in 2022.
The period of increasing diversity (2013-2017) corresponded with economic growth, suggesting a potential relationship between increased diversity and economic prosperity. The economic downturn (2020-2022) coincided with a slight reversal in diversity trends, potentially indicating that economic hardship may have disproportionately affected minority populations or influenced migration patterns.
The dramatic economic decline in Vinegar Bend from 2020 onward likely reflects the broader economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected many communities across the United States. The maintenance of a White Majority status, despite some fluctuations, is consistent with many rural areas in the American South, which often have slower rates of demographic change compared to urban areas. The significant presence of a Black population (26% as of 2022) is higher than the national average, reflecting the historical demographics of Alabama and the broader Southern United States.
In conclusion, Vinegar Bend has maintained its status as a White Majority community over the past decade, while showing signs of slow but steady diversification. Recent economic challenges have potentially slowed or slightly reversed this trend towards increased diversity. The community's future demographic and economic trajectory will likely depend on its ability to recover from the recent economic downturn and how it navigates ongoing processes of demographic change.