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Demographic Analysis of Zip Code 59643: Examining Racial Composition in Toston, Montana
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The zip code 59643 in Toston, Montana, is classified as a "Low Diversity" community as of 2022. The population is 90% white, indicating a clear racial majority. The community has a median income of $53,679 and a population of 482, suggesting a small, predominantly white rural area.
Over the past decade, Toston has maintained its "Low Diversity" status. The white population has consistently remained above 90%, with minor fluctuations. However, subtle signs of increasing diversity are evident. The Hispanic population grew from 1% in 2015 to 3% in 2022. The "Two or More Races" category increased from 0% in 2015 to 6% in 2022. A small Native American population (1%) emerged in 2022. These changes, while minor, suggest a slow trend towards slightly increased diversity.
The median income in Toston has fluctuated over the years. It peaked in 2019 at $66,320, dropped to $54,229 in 2020, slightly recovered to $58,425 in 2021, and decreased again to $53,679 in 2022. This income volatility does not show a clear correlation with the subtle demographic shifts. The overall trend since 2019 has been downward, potentially impacting the community's ability to attract or retain a more diverse population.
The population has grown steadily from 327 in 2010 to 482 in 2022, a 47% increase. This growth might be contributing to the slight increase in diversity as new residents move into the area.
The persistent "Low Diversity" categorization of Toston is not uncommon for rural areas in Montana, which is one of the least diverse states in the US. The population growth in Toston (47% over 12 years) outpaces Montana's overall growth rate, which was about 10% from 2010 to 2020. The median income fluctuations, particularly the sharp decline in 2020, likely reflect the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected rural communities across the country. The slight increase in diversity aligns with broader national trends of increasing diversity in rural areas, albeit at a much slower pace than urban centers.
Toston remains a "Low Diversity" community, with early indications of demographic shifts. The economic volatility and overall population growth may be factors in these changes. The pace of diversification remains slow, and it would require sustained trends over a longer period to significantly alter the community's demographic composition.
