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Demographic Analysis of Zip Code 60551: White Majority with Increasing Racial Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The zip code 60551 in Sheridan, Illinois, is classified as a "White Majority" community with moderate diversity as of 2022. The area has a population of 4,778 and a median income of $72,529. The white population constitutes 71% of the total, with a significant Black population (19%) and a growing Hispanic presence (8%).
Sheridan has transitioned from a "Low Diversity" community to one with "Moderate Diversity" over the past decade. In 2013, the white population comprised 78% of the total, indicating a "Low Diversity" classification. By 2022, this percentage had decreased to 71%, while other racial groups, particularly Black and Hispanic populations, increased their representation.
The Black population experienced the most significant growth, rising from 13% in 2013 to 19% in 2022. This shift indicates a trend towards increasing diversity, though the community still maintains a clear "White Majority" status. The Hispanic population also showed steady growth, increasing from 6% to 8% over the same period.
These changes suggest that Sheridan could be classified as a "Transitional Community," with a clear trend towards greater racial diversity over the past decade.
The demographic shifts in Sheridan have occurred alongside fluctuations in median income. From 2013 to 2022, the median income experienced some volatility but ultimately showed a modest increase from $69,079 to $72,529. This represents a growth of about 5% over nine years. The period of greatest racial diversification (2013-2016) coincided with a decrease in median income, dropping to a low of $61,490 in 2016. However, as the community stabilized into its new, more diverse composition, incomes began to recover and grow, reaching a peak of $74,931 in 2021 before slightly decreasing in 2022.
The population of the zip code has grown from 4,435 in 2013 to 4,778 in 2022, an increase of about 7.7%. This population growth, combined with the increasing diversity and recovering incomes, suggests that the area has become more attractive to a wider range of residents over time.
The trends observed in Sheridan align with broader patterns seen in many suburban and small-town communities across the United States. The gradual increase in diversity, particularly growth in Black and Hispanic populations, reflects national demographic shifts towards greater racial and ethnic diversity.
The modest income growth over the decade is consistent with national trends, where many communities have struggled with wage stagnation or slow growth, especially when accounting for inflation. The recovery and growth in median income since 2016 may indicate improving economic conditions or changing employment opportunities in the area.
Sheridan exemplifies a community in transition, moving from low to moderate diversity while maintaining a white majority. The economic fluctuations and subsequent recovery suggest a period of adjustment followed by stabilization as the community's demographic composition evolved. These changes likely reflect broader regional and national trends towards increased diversity and economic restructuring in small to medium-sized communities.
