Loading Content...
Demographic Analysis of Zip Code 61778: A Study of Racial Homogeneity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Zip code 61778 in Waynesville, Illinois, is classified as a "Low Diversity" community as of 2022. The population is 99% white, indicating a highly homogeneous racial composition. The median income for 2022 was $71,626, showing an increase from previous years.
Waynesville has maintained its "Low Diversity" status over the past decade. The white population has consistently comprised at least 96% of the total population. Minor increases in the Hispanic population and those identifying as two or more races have occurred, but these changes are not substantial enough to alter the overall demographic categorization.
The community does not exhibit signs of transitioning towards greater diversity, as changes in non-white populations have been minimal and inconsistent. This stability in racial composition indicates a lack of significant immigration or demographic shifts that might lead to increased diversity.
The median income in Waynesville has shown an upward trend over the past decade, increasing from $62,478 in 2013 to $71,626 in 2022. This represents a 14.6% increase over nine years, outpacing inflation for the same period. A significant increase in median income occurred from 2020 to 2021, followed by a decrease in 2022.
The population has decreased from 775 in 2013 to 708 in 2022, a decline of about 8.6%. This combination of rising incomes and declining population may suggest outmigration of lower-income residents, economic improvements benefiting remaining residents, or an aging population being replaced by fewer but higher-earning working-age adults.
Waynesville's demographic composition contrasts with national trends towards increasing diversity. The income growth generally aligns with broader economic trends in the United States over the past decade. However, the population decline may reflect broader trends of rural depopulation or migration to urban areas observed in many parts of the Midwest.
Waynesville demonstrates demographic stability in racial composition, economic growth, and population decline. This presents a complex picture of a community experiencing economic improvements while potentially facing challenges related to population retention or attraction of new residents. The lack of racial diversity may limit exposure to varied cultural perspectives and could impact the ability to attract a diverse workforce in the future.
