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Demographic and Economic Trends in Needham, Alabama (ZIP 36915): A Study of Low Diversity and White Majority Population
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Needham, Alabama (ZIP code 36915) is categorized as a Low Diversity community with a White Majority. As of 2022, the white population comprises 87% of the total, while the black population represents 13%. The town has experienced economic challenges, with a median income of $23,675 in 2022, which is lower than previous years. The population has declined over the past decade, dropping from 846 in 2010 to 510 in 2022.
Throughout the analyzed period (2013-2022), Needham has maintained its status as a Low Diversity community with a White Majority. The white population percentage has fluctuated slightly, ranging from 83% in 2020 to 91% in 2018. The black population has shown a gradual increase, rising from 9% in 2013 to 17% in 2020, before decreasing to 13% in 2022. The community has not transitioned to any other diversity category, but there is a slight trend towards increased representation of the black population.
The economic situation in Needham has deteriorated over the decade. Median income peaked at $50,249 in 2013 and has since declined, reaching $23,675 in 2022. This drop in median income (about 53% decrease) coincides with a period of population decline, from 846 in 2010 to 510 in 2022 (about 40% decrease). The economic downturn appears more severe than the subtle demographic shifts, suggesting that economic factors may be driving population changes more than racial dynamics.
The decline in median income is likely more severe than national trends, indicating localized economic challenges in Needham. The persistent Low Diversity classification contrasts with many areas in the United States that have been experiencing increasing diversity. The significant population decline (40% over 12 years) suggests underlying issues such as lack of economic opportunities or outmigration that may be more pronounced than in many other small towns across the country.
Needham presents a picture of a small, predominantly white community facing economic challenges. While racial demographics have remained relatively stable within the Low Diversity category, the decline in both population and median income suggests a community struggling with socio-economic issues. These trends may be indicative of broader challenges facing small, rural towns in Alabama or similar regions, such as loss of industry, limited job opportunities, or changing economic landscapes that are driving both population decline and income reduction.
