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Demographic and Economic Trends in Zip Code 36481: From Black Plurality to White Majority
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Zip code 36481 in Vredenburgh, Alabama, is classified as a "Moderate Diversity" community as of 2022. The area has a white majority (55%) with a significant Black population (38%) and a small Hispanic presence (2%). The current median income is $38,267, which is an increase from a decade ago but remains below national averages.
Over the past decade, this zip code has undergone significant demographic changes. It transitioned from a "Black Plurality" community to a "White Majority" area. In 2013, the community was nearly evenly split between Black (48%) and White (50%) residents. From 2014 to 2019, the area maintained a "Black Plurality" status, with the Black population consistently representing the largest group, though not exceeding 56%.
A notable shift occurred between 2019 and 2021, where the community transitioned to a "White Majority" status. The white population increased from 43% in 2019 to 68% in 2021, while the Black population decreased from 56% to 30% during the same period. This change suggests a significant population movement or potential data anomaly. The Hispanic population has maintained a consistent presence of about 2% since 2019. The emergence of a "two or more races" category (4%) in 2022 further contributes to the area's diversity.
The demographic shifts correlate with changes in median income. From 2013 to 2016, the median income declined from $25,136 to $14,147, coinciding with the period of "Black Plurality". Since 2016, there has been an increase in median income, rising to $42,778 in 2021, which aligns with the transition to a "White Majority" community.
The population has fluctuated over the years, with a peak of 739 residents in 2018, followed by a decline to 445 in 2022. This population decrease, coupled with the racial demographic shift and income increase, suggests a possible gentrification process or economic restructuring in the area.
The demographic shifts observed in this zip code are more dramatic than typically seen in most communities over such a short period. The rapid transition from a predominantly Black community to a White majority, along with the substantial increase in median income, suggests significant socio-economic changes that may be impacting local dynamics.
The income growth in this area is particularly noteworthy, as it outpaces national trends. While the U.S. overall has seen income growth over the past decade, the rate of increase in this zip code (from $14,147 in 2016 to $38,267 in 2022) is exceptionally high.
These changes may reflect broader trends of rural gentrification or economic development initiatives in small Southern towns. The rapidity and extent of these changes are unusual and warrant further investigation into local policies, economic developments, or other factors that may have driven such significant demographic and economic shifts in a relatively short time frame.
