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Demographic Analysis of Zip Code 49629: Predominant White Population with Subtle Racial Shifts
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The zip code 49629 in Elk Rapids, Michigan, is classified as a "Low Diversity" community with a "White Majority" as of 2022. The area has a population of 1,455 and a median household income of $73,924, indicating a relatively affluent small town setting.
Elk Rapids has maintained its status as a "Low Diversity" community with a strong "White Majority" over the past decade. The white population has remained above 90% throughout the observed period, decreasing slightly from 97% in 2013 to 93% in 2022. This minor shift suggests the beginnings of a slow diversification process, though not enough to alter the community's overall demographic categorization.
The community has experienced small increases in its Hispanic population (from 0% in 2013 to 2% in 2022) and those identifying as two or more races (from 1% to 3% over the same period). The Asian population also emerged in the data, rising from no recorded presence to 2% by 2022. These changes, while small, could indicate the early stages of a "Transitional Community," albeit at a very gradual pace.
The median household income in Elk Rapids has shown an upward trend, rising from $51,250 in 2013 to $73,924 in 2022, an increase of about 44% over nine years. This growth in income has coincided with the slight increase in diversity, suggesting that the area may be attracting a more diverse, affluent population.
The population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between about 1,300 and 1,460 residents over the decade. The slight overall growth (from 1,312 in 2013 to 1,455 in 2022) aligns with the gradual increase in diversity and rising incomes, potentially indicating that the community is slowly attracting new residents from varied backgrounds.
Elk Rapids remains predominantly white, but its slow diversification trend aligns with broader national patterns of increasing diversity in suburban and rural areas. The pace of change in Elk Rapids is slower than many other parts of the country experiencing rapid demographic shifts.
The increase in median household income outpaces the national average over a similar period, suggesting that Elk Rapids may be becoming increasingly attractive to higher-income households. This could be due to factors such as quality of life, natural amenities, or economic opportunities in the region.
The stability of the population, combined with rising incomes and slow diversification, may indicate that Elk Rapids is a desirable community that is gradually opening up to a wider range of residents while maintaining its core character. This pattern is sometimes seen in affluent small towns that are slowly integrating into more diverse regional economies.
While Elk Rapids remains a "Low Diversity" community with a strong "White Majority," subtle shifts in its demographic makeup and economic growth suggest the potential for gradual change in the coming years. The community appears to be slowly transitioning towards greater diversity while experiencing economic prosperity, a pattern that may continue to shape its development in the future.
