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Demographic Analysis of Zip Code 50240: Low Diversity and Racial Composition
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The zip code 50240 in St. Charles, Iowa, is classified as a "Low Diversity" community as of 2022. The area is predominantly white, with 95% of the population identifying as such. This classification has remained consistent over the past decade, indicating a stable racial composition. Economically, the area has experienced significant growth, with median income increasing from $72,329 in 2013 to $90,169 in 2022, suggesting a prosperous local economy.
Throughout the observed period (2013-2022), St. Charles has maintained its status as a "Low Diversity" community. The white population has consistently represented over 95% of the total, with minimal fluctuations. The Hispanic population increased from 2% in 2013 to 4% in 2022, potentially indicating the beginnings of a "Transitional Community." The category of two or more races has shown small but consistent representation, hovering around 1% throughout the decade. These minor shifts suggest that while the community remains predominantly white, there are indications of slow diversification.
The median income in St. Charles has shown a strong upward trend. In 2013, it was $72,329, remaining relatively stable at $72,665 in 2017, then significantly increasing to $90,917 in 2020, before slightly decreasing to $90,169 in 2022. This substantial increase in median income (about 24.7% over the decade) suggests economic prosperity and potentially improving living standards for residents. The stability of the racial composition alongside this economic growth indicates that the existing community has likely benefited from these economic gains, rather than the changes being driven by demographic shifts.
Population trends have been relatively stable, with some fluctuations. The population was 2,171 in 2013, peaked at 2,327 in 2017, dipped to 2,123 in 2021, and recovered to 2,201 in 2022. The relatively stable population suggests that economic growth has not led to significant in-migration, which could explain the persistence of the low diversity classification.
The racial homogeneity of St. Charles is not uncommon for small Midwestern towns, which often have less diverse populations compared to urban areas. The significant increase in median income outpaces national trends. For comparison, the U.S. median household income grew from about $52,250 in 2013 to $70,784 in 2021, an increase of about 35%. St. Charles's growth rate is even higher, indicating strong local economic performance. The stability in racial composition, despite economic growth, suggests that the community may have limited factors attracting diverse populations, such as job opportunities specifically targeted at diverse groups or cultural amenities that might appeal to a broader demographic.
In conclusion, St. Charles remains a "Low Diversity" community, but its economic prosperity is evident. The subtle increases in Hispanic and multiracial populations hint at the potential for future diversification, albeit at a slow pace. The challenge for the community moving forward may be to leverage its economic success to create opportunities that could attract and retain a more diverse population, should that be a goal for local policymakers and residents.
