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Demographic Analysis of Zip Code 59261: A Study of Racial Composition and Economic Trends
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The zip code 59261 in Saco, Montana, is classified as a "Low Diversity" area with a "White Majority" as of 2022. The racial composition comprises 90% white, 6% Native American, and 3% individuals of two or more races. The community's median income is $56,466, with a population of 157 in 2022.
Over the past decade, Saco has maintained its "Low Diversity" status with a strong "White Majority." The Native American population increased from 11% in 2013 to 18% in 2017, then declined to 6% by 2022. The white population fluctuated, reaching its lowest point of 77% in 2016 before returning to 90% in 2022. The percentage of individuals of two or more races remained relatively stable at 3-5% throughout the decade.
The median income in Saco has shown an overall upward trend. From 2013 to 2015, there was an initial decline from $50,149 to $41,997. From 2015 to 2022, a steady increase occurred, rising from $41,997 to $56,466, with a peak of $59,039 in 2021. The period of highest Native American representation (2016-2018) coincided with relatively lower median incomes. As the white majority increased from 2019 onwards, median incomes also rose significantly.
Population figures have remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 147 and 170 residents over the decade. This suggests that demographic changes are likely due to internal shifts or small-scale migration rather than significant population growth or decline.
The stability of Saco's demographic composition contrasts with national trends towards increasing diversity in many areas of the United States. The upward trend in median income, particularly since 2015, aligns with broader economic recovery and growth patterns seen across much of the country post-2008 recession. The town's small, stable population suggests it may be a rural community, which often face different demographic and economic challenges compared to urban areas.
Saco presents a picture of a stable, predominantly white community that has maintained its demographic character over the past decade while experiencing modest economic growth. The brief period of increased Native American representation did not lead to a lasting shift in the town's diversity profile, and economic improvements appear more closely tied to the reassertion of the white majority. This analysis underscores the complex interplay between racial demographics and economic trends in small, rural American communities.
