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Demographic Analysis of Zip Code 62422: Persistent White Majority in Cowden, Illinois
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Zip code 62422, encompassing Cowden in Illinois, is characterized as a Low Diversity community with a White Majority. As of 2022, the white population constitutes 97% of the total, with minimal representation from other racial groups. The area's median income has fluctuated over the past decade, reaching $49,924 in 2022, a slight decrease from the previous year but an overall increase from the early 2010s.
From 2013 to 2022, Cowden has maintained its status as a Low Diversity community with a White Majority. The white population has remained above 95% throughout the decade. Minor changes include a marginal increase in the Hispanic population from 1% in 2013 to 2% in 2022, and fluctuations between 0% and 1% for individuals identifying as two or more races. These small shifts suggest a very slow trend towards increased diversity, though not sufficient to alter the community's overall categorization.
The median income in Cowden has shown notable fluctuations over the past decade. From 2013 to 2017, there was a general downward trend, with median income decreasing from $40,560 to $36,800. From 2018 to 2021, a significant upward trend occurred, with median income rising from $40,402 to $61,572. In 2022, there was a decrease to $49,924, though this figure still represents an overall increase compared to the early 2010s.
These economic shifts do not appear to correlate strongly with the minimal demographic changes observed. The substantial income increase from 2018 to 2021 occurred without any significant alteration in the racial composition of the community.
Population trends show a general decline from 1,267 residents in 2013 to 1,052 in 2022, indicating a slow but steady outmigration from the area. This population decrease does not seem to have significantly impacted the racial makeup of the community, suggesting that outmigration may be relatively proportional across racial groups.
Cowden appears to be maintaining its homogeneous racial composition. This stability in racial demographics is more common in rural, small-town settings, especially in the Midwest.
The economic fluctuations observed, particularly the significant increase in median income from 2018 to 2021, followed by a decrease in 2022, may reflect broader economic trends such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recovery efforts. The overall increase in median income over the decade, despite population decline, could indicate improvements in local economic conditions or changes in the type of employment available in the area.
In conclusion, while Cowden has experienced notable economic fluctuations over the past decade, its demographic composition has remained stable, characterized by low diversity and a strong white majority. The community's resistance to significant demographic change, coupled with its economic volatility, presents a unique profile that diverges from national trends towards increased diversity but aligns with patterns seen in some rural, Midwestern communities.
