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Demographic Shifts and Racial Composition in Zip Code 35068, Fultondale, Alabama: 2013-2022
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Zip code 35068 in Fultondale, Alabama, was categorized as a "White Majority" community in 2022, with 55% of the population identifying as white. This classification has been shifting over the past decade, trending towards a more diverse demographic composition. The area has experienced steady economic growth, with the median income increasing from $62,530 in 2013 to $67,945 in 2022, indicating a moderate increase in prosperity over time.
Over the past decade, this zip code has undergone a significant transformation in its racial composition. In 2013, it was classified as a "Low Diversity" area with a strong "White Majority" (68% white). By 2022, it had transitioned to a "Moderate Diversity" community, bordering on becoming a "Majority-Minority" area. The most notable change has been the steady increase in the Black population, rising from 22% in 2013 to 34% in 2022. This shift represents a clear trend towards a more diverse community. The Hispanic population increased from 3% to 4%, while the Asian population grew from 0% to 2% during this period.
This evolution suggests that Fultondale is becoming a "Transitional Community," with increasing representation from various racial groups. If current trends continue, it may soon transition from a "White Majority" to a "White Plurality" or even a "Majority-Minority" community in the near future. The demographic shifts have occurred alongside a general upward trend in median income. From 2013 to 2022, the median income increased by about 8.7%, from $62,530 to $67,945. This suggests that the increasing diversity has not negatively impacted the area's economic prosperity.
The population has seen modest growth, increasing from 6,485 in 2013 to 6,727 in 2022, a 3.7% increase. This growth, combined with rising incomes and increasing diversity, indicates a community that is both expanding and evolving economically and demographically.
The trends observed in this zip code align with broader patterns seen in many suburban areas across the United States. Many formerly predominantly white suburbs have been experiencing increasing racial diversity over the past decades, often accompanied by economic growth. The steady increase in median income, even as the community becomes more diverse, challenges narratives that associate increasing diversity with economic decline. Instead, it suggests that diversity and economic prosperity can coexist and potentially reinforce each other.
The transition towards greater diversity, particularly the significant increase in the Black population, may reflect broader trends of suburban diversification and the movement of minority populations from urban centers to suburban areas. This could be driven by factors such as improved economic opportunities, changes in housing preferences, or shifts in local policies and community attitudes.
Zip code 35068 in Fultondale, Alabama, exemplifies a "Transitional Community" that has evolved from a "Low Diversity" area to one of "Moderate Diversity" over the past decade. This demographic shift has occurred alongside steady economic growth, suggesting a dynamic and evolving community that is adapting to changing social and economic landscapes.
