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Demographic Analysis of Zip Code 98121: Increasing Racial Diversity and Economic Growth
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Zip code 98121 in Seattle, Washington, is classified as a "High Diversity" area as of 2022. No racial group exceeds 40% of the population, with at least three groups having significant representation (over 10% each). The white population is 48%, Asian 33%, and Hispanic 7%, with other groups also represented. The median income is $120,991, indicating a prosperous and diverse community.
Over the past decade, zip code 98121 has undergone a significant transformation in its racial composition. In 2013, the area was classified as having a "White Majority" with 63% of the population identifying as white. By 2022, this had shifted to a "High Diversity" classification. The white population percentage declined from 63% in 2013 to 48% in 2022, while the Asian population increased from 18% to 33% over the same period. This transition indicates a trend towards increasing diversity, potentially categorizing 98121 as a "Transitional Community" throughout this period.
The Hispanic population increased from 5% to 7%, while the Black population remained relatively stable at around 4-5%. The "Two or More Races" category grew from 3% to 6%, further underscoring the increasing diversity of the area.
The demographic shifts in 98121 have been accompanied by substantial economic changes. The median income increased from $72,838 in 2013 to $120,991 in 2022, representing a 66% increase over nine years. This surge in median income suggests that the area has become increasingly attractive to high-earning professionals. The population grew from 12,868 in 2013 to 21,074 in 2022, an increase of about 64%. This population growth, combined with the income increase, indicates a rapidly gentrifying area that's becoming more affluent and diverse simultaneously.
The trends observed in zip code 98121 align with broader patterns seen in many urban centers across the United States, particularly in tech hubs. The increasing diversity, coupled with rising incomes, is reminiscent of changes in areas like San Francisco's SoMa district or parts of New York City. The rapid increase in the Asian population percentage may be linked to the growth of the tech industry in Seattle, which has attracted a significant number of Asian professionals. This trend is similar to what has been observed in other tech-centric areas like Silicon Valley.
The dramatic increase in median income, outpacing national averages, suggests that this zip code has become a highly desirable area for affluent professionals. This could be driving both the population growth and the shift in racial demographics, as the area attracts a diverse, high-earning workforce. Zip code 98121 has evolved from a predominantly white, moderately affluent area to a highly diverse, high-income neighborhood over the past decade. This transformation reflects broader urban trends of increasing diversity and gentrification in desirable city centers, particularly those associated with the tech industry boom.
