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Demographic Analysis of Zip Code 77359: A Predominantly White Community with Fluctuating Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The zip code 77359 in Oakhurst, Texas, is classified as a "White Majority" community with low to moderate diversity as of 2022. The area has a population of 679 and a median income of $49,374. This rural zip code spans 32.05 square miles and contains an estimated 260 housing units based on the national average household size.
Over the past decade, Oakhurst has maintained its status as a "White Majority" community, experiencing fluctuations in diversity levels. From 2013 to 2018, the area was consistently categorized as "Low Diversity," with the white population comprising over 80% of residents. In 2019, there was a shift towards "Moderate Diversity" as the Black population increased to 24%, reducing the white majority to 75%. By 2022, the community returned to a state of lower diversity, with the white population at 78% and Black at 15%, though still more diverse than in the early 2010s.
The median income in Oakhurst has shown considerable volatility over the decade. A peak of $70,664 was observed in 2014, coinciding with the period of lowest diversity. A sharp decline to $27,621 in 2017 corresponded with a slight increase in diversity. Recent years have seen a recovery, with the 2022 median income at $49,374, as the community's diversity slightly decreased from its 2019 peak.
This pattern suggests a complex relationship between economic conditions and racial composition, where periods of higher income have generally aligned with lower diversity, though this correlation is not consistent throughout the decade. Population trends have been erratic, ranging from a low of 416 in 2021 to a high of 843 in 2012. The current population of 679 in 2022 represents a recovery from recent lows but is still below peak levels.
The demographic trends in Oakhurst appear to diverge from broader national trends towards increasing diversity. The community's maintenance of a strong white majority, despite some fluctuations, contrasts with many urban and suburban areas that have seen steady increases in minority populations. The economic volatility experienced in Oakhurst, particularly the sharp decline and subsequent partial recovery in median income, may reflect broader economic challenges faced by rural communities in Texas and across the United States. The area's resilience in bouncing back from economic lows suggests a degree of economic adaptability, despite its relatively small size and limited diversity.
Oakhurst presents a picture of a rural community that has maintained its status as a "White Majority" area with low to moderate diversity over the past decade. While experiencing significant economic fluctuations and brief periods of increased diversity, the community has largely returned to a demographic and economic profile similar to its starting point, albeit with slightly increased diversity and lower median income compared to its peak years.
