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Demographic Analysis of Zip Code 98408: Racial Composition and Trends from 2013 to 2022
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Zip code 98408 in Tacoma, Washington is categorized as a "Moderate Diversity" community as of 2022. The white population comprises 52% of the total, maintaining a narrow "White Majority" status. The area has a population of 21,353 and a median income of $64,611. This zip code has undergone a gradual transition from a more pronounced "White Majority" community to one approaching "Majority-Minority" status over the past decade. In 2013, the white population represented 56% of the total, decreasing to 52% by 2022. This shift indicates a trend towards increasing diversity.
The community has consistently maintained "Moderate Diversity" throughout the observed period, with at least three racial groups (White, Black, and Hispanic) each representing over 10% of the population in recent years. The Asian population has maintained a significant presence, ranging from 8-10% throughout the decade. Notable changes include a slight decrease in the white population, an increase in the Black population from 9% to 12%, a rise in the Hispanic population from 12% to 14% (before slightly decreasing to 12% in 2022), and a consistent representation of people identifying as two or more races, around 10-12% throughout the period.
The median income in the zip code has shown an overall upward trend, rising from $59,602 in 2013 to $64,611 in 2022, an increase of about 8.4% over the decade. However, this growth has not been steady. There was a dip in median income between 2013 and 2017, reaching a low of $56,292 in 2017. A significant recovery occurred from 2018 to 2021, with the median income peaking at $70,253 in 2021. There was a notable decrease in 2022, dropping from $70,253 to $64,611.
These economic fluctuations appear to correlate with the demographic shifts. The period of increasing diversity (2013-2017) coincided with a slight decline in median income. However, as the community stabilized into its current diverse composition, incomes began to rise more consistently from 2018 onwards. The population has also grown over this period, from 20,322 in 2013 to 21,353 in 2022, an increase of about 5%. This growth, combined with the increasing diversity and rising median income (despite the recent dip), suggests that the area is becoming more attractive to a variety of demographic groups.
The trends observed in this zip code align with broader national patterns of increasing diversity in suburban areas. The gradual shift towards a more diverse population composition is consistent with trends seen in many American cities and suburbs over the past decade. The economic fluctuations, particularly the dip in the mid-2010s followed by recovery, mirror national economic trends related to the recovery from the 2008 financial crisis and subsequent growth. The recent dip in 2022 could be related to broader economic challenges such as inflation or the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In conclusion, zip code 98408 in Tacoma, Washington, represents a moderately diverse, middle-class community that is gradually becoming more diverse. While it maintains a slight white majority, the increasing representation of other racial groups suggests a trend towards "High Diversity" or potentially "Majority-Minority" status in the coming years. These demographic shifts have occurred alongside overall economic growth, albeit with some fluctuations, indicating a dynamic and evolving community.
