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Demographic Analysis of Zip Code 43504: A Study of Racial Homogeneity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Zip code 43504 in Berkey, Ohio, is classified as a "Low Diversity" community as of 2022. The population is 98% white, indicating a highly homogeneous racial composition. The median income in 2022 was $78,214, suggesting a relatively affluent community compared to the national median income.
Over the past decade, Berkey has maintained its "Low Diversity" status. The white population has consistently remained above 97% throughout the analyzed period. Minor fluctuations have occurred in other racial categories, with the Hispanic population increasing slightly from 0% in 2014 to 1% in 2022, peaking at 2% in 2021. The "Two or More Races" category has fluctuated between 0% and 1% over the years.
The median income in Berkey has shown notable fluctuations over the past decade. From 2013 to 2018, there was an upward trend, with median income rising from $71,320 to $84,498, an increase of about 18.5%. This trend reversed in subsequent years, with the median income decreasing to $75,848 in 2020, before recovering to $78,214 in 2022.
The population has shown a steady decline from 1,155 in 2010 to 905 in 2022, a decrease of about 21.6%. This population decline, coupled with the maintenance of relatively high median incomes, suggests that the community may be shrinking while retaining its more affluent residents or attracting higher-income newcomers.
The demographic homogeneity of Berkey contrasts with national trends towards increasing diversity. While many urban and suburban areas in the United States have experienced growing racial and ethnic diversity over the past decade, Berkey has maintained its predominantly white composition.
The economic trends in Berkey, particularly the rise in median income from 2013 to 2018, align with the broader economic recovery observed nationally following the 2008 financial crisis. The subsequent decline and modest recovery in median income since 2018 may reflect local economic factors or challenges specific to this community.
The population decline in Berkey may be part of a broader trend of population loss in some rural or small-town areas of the Midwest. This could be due to factors such as urbanization, changing economic opportunities, or an aging population.
In conclusion, Berkey has experienced some economic fluctuations over the past decade, while its racial demographics have remained stable, maintaining its status as a "Low Diversity" community. The combination of decreasing population and relatively high median incomes suggests a community that is retaining its economic status while shrinking. These trends raise questions about the long-term sustainability of the community's current demographic and economic model in the face of broader national trends towards increasing diversity and urbanization.
