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Demographic Analysis of Zip Code 59402: White Majority with Increasing Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The zip code 59402 (Malmstrom AFB, Montana) is characterized as having a "White Majority" with 70% of the population identifying as white as of 2022. The community exhibits "Moderate Diversity" with Hispanic and Black populations each representing 11% of the total. The median income in 2022 was $53,277, indicating a moderate economic status for this military community.
Over the past decade, the zip code has maintained its "White Majority" status, although with some variations. The white population percentage decreased from 74% in 2013 to 67% in 2017, before stabilizing around 70% in recent years. This data suggests a slight trend towards increased diversity, though not sufficient to reclassify the community according to the established categories.
The Hispanic population has shown an overall increase from 12% in 2013 to 16% in 2020, before decreasing to 11% in 2022. The Black population has fluctuated between 6% and 12% over the decade. These trends indicate a gradual increase in diversity, though not yet reaching the threshold for "High Diversity" as defined in the study.
There has been a notable increase in the Native American population, from negligible levels in earlier years to 4% in 2021, though this decreased to 1% in 2022. The "Two or More Races" category has also experienced growth, potentially indicating a "Transitional Community" in terms of increasing diversity.
The median income has fluctuated over the decade. It decreased from $49,694 in 2013 to $46,498 in 2016, before rising to $59,536 in 2021, then dropping to $53,277 in 2022. This overall upward trend in income correlates with the increasing diversity of the community, suggesting a potential link between demographic changes and economic shifts.
The population has also varied, reaching a low of 964 in 2017 before increasing to 1,251 in 2022. This population growth coincides with the period of increasing income and diversity, potentially indicating that the base has been attracting a more diverse group of personnel and their families.
As a military base community, Malmstrom AFB likely experiences demographic shifts influenced by military postings and policies. The increasing diversity observed may reflect broader trends in the U.S. military towards greater racial and ethnic representation. However, the community remains less diverse than the U.S. military as a whole, which has a lower percentage of white service members (about 69% as of 2019).
The income fluctuations may be related to changes in military pay scales and housing allowances, as well as the specific roles and ranks stationed at the base over time. The recent upward trend in income aligns with general increases in military compensation over the past few years.
In conclusion, while Malmstrom AFB maintains its "White Majority" status, it shows signs of gradually increasing diversity. This demographic evolution, coupled with generally rising incomes, suggests a community in transition, potentially reflecting broader changes in military demographics and economic policies.
