Demographic Analysis of Zip Code 62077: Racial Composition Trends in Panama, Illinois
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
DATA SOURCE
Zip code 62077 in Panama, Illinois, is classified as a "Low Diversity" area as of 2022. The population is 95% white, with 20 residents living in approximately 8 housing units across 1.19 square miles.
Panama has maintained its "Low Diversity" status over the past decade. From 2013 to 2019, the white population ranged from 57% to 70%. After 2020, the community became more homogeneous, with 95% of the population identified as white.
The Hispanic population, which represented 3-5% from 2013 to 2019, was no longer present in the data by 2020. Residents identifying as two or more races, previously 1% of the population, also disappeared from the data after 2016. These changes indicate a trend towards decreased diversity in recent years.
The median income in Panama has fluctuated over the years. It peaked in 2018 at $71,769, coinciding with a period of slightly higher diversity. The population of the zip code has decreased from 81 in 2015 to 20 in 2022.
The trend towards decreased diversity in Panama contrasts with national trends, where diversity has generally been increasing in both urban and rural areas. The population decline may reflect challenges facing small rural communities in Illinois and across the Midwest.
The median income has generally remained above $50,000, which is close to the national median. However, the small population size limits the ability to draw robust conclusions about economic trends.
Panama represents a case of a small rural community becoming less diverse over time. The population decline suggests challenges affecting the community's ability to retain residents, particularly those from minority groups. As the community has become more homogeneous, it faces potential isolation from broader demographic and cultural shifts occurring at the state and national levels.
