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Demographic Analysis of Zip Code 96142: A Predominantly White Community
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The zip code 96142 in Tahoma, California, is classified as having Low Diversity as of 2022. The white population comprises 95% of the total, surpassing the 75% threshold for this classification. The area has a population of 936 and a median income of $71,577, indicating a stable economic status in recent years.
Over the past decade, Tahoma has maintained its status as a Low Diversity community. The white population has consistently been the dominant racial group, never falling below 80% throughout the observed period. From 2013 to 2016, there was a slight increase in diversity, with the white population reaching its lowest point of 80% in 2016. During this time, the community briefly approached Moderate Diversity, with Native American representation peaking at 9% and two or more races at 8%.
Since 2017, the trend has reversed, with the white population steadily increasing to reach 95% by 2022, further solidifying the area's Low Diversity status. The Hispanic population, while small, has shown a gradual increase from 0% in 2015 to 4% in 2022, potentially indicating the early stages of a Transitional Community, albeit at a very slow pace.
The demographic shifts appear to have some correlation with economic changes. The period of slightly increased diversity (2013-2016) coincided with a decline in median income, dropping from $60,244 in 2013 to $51,738 in 2016. As the community reverted to higher levels of Low Diversity from 2017 onwards, there was a notable increase in median income. It rose from $76,429 in 2017 to $79,870 in 2021, before slightly decreasing to $71,577 in 2022. The population has fluctuated over the years, with a significant drop to 575 in 2017, followed by a steady rise to 936 by 2022.
Tahoma's racial composition is notably less diverse than California as a whole. The median income of $71,577 in 2022 is relatively high compared to the national median, suggesting a relatively affluent community. The trend towards increasing racial homogeneity goes against the national trend of increasing diversity in many areas, particularly in California.
Tahoma presents a case of a community that has maintained and even increased its Low Diversity status over the past decade, contrary to many national trends. This demographic stability has coincided with economic growth, particularly in recent years. The slight increase in the Hispanic population may indicate the potential for future demographic changes, albeit at a slow pace. The community's economic prosperity and unique demographic composition may have implications for local policies, community dynamics, and future development plans.
