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Demographic Shifts in Chapel Hill Zip Code 27517: From Low to Moderate Diversity (2013-2022)
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Zip code 27517 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is classified as a White Majority community with moderate diversity as of 2022. The area has a median income of $107,677, which is above the national average. The population is 28,244 across 50.31 square miles, indicating a moderately dense suburban area.
This zip code has transitioned from Low Diversity to Moderate Diversity over the past decade while maintaining its White Majority status. In 2013, the white population was 78% of the total. By 2022, this percentage decreased to 70%, indicating a trend towards increased diversity.
The most significant demographic changes from 2013 to 2022 include an increase in the Black population from 6% to 9%, growth in the Hispanic population from 5% to 9%, a rise in the Asian population from 5% to 6%, and an increase in individuals identifying as two or more races from 1% to 4%. These shifts suggest a Transitional Community status.
The median income in the area has increased from $95,306 in 2013 to $107,677 in 2022, a 13% increase. This economic growth has occurred alongside increasing diversity, suggesting the area remains attractive to affluent residents from various racial backgrounds. The population has grown from 25,125 in 2013 to 28,244 in 2022, a 12% increase, aligning with income growth.
The demographic shifts in this Chapel Hill zip code align with national trends of increasing diversity in suburban areas, particularly those near universities or in tech hubs. The high median income and gradual increase in diversity suggest this area may be attracting educated professionals from various backgrounds, possibly due to opportunities in nearby research institutions or tech companies.
The maintenance of high property values alongside increasing diversity is notable, as it counters historical trends where increasing diversity in suburbs led to declining property values. This could indicate a more inclusive and economically robust community that is diverging from older patterns of racial and economic segregation.
Zip code 27517 in Chapel Hill represents a Transitional Community evolving from Low Diversity to Moderate Diversity while maintaining its White Majority status and high economic standards. This trend reflects broader national shifts towards more diverse, affluent suburbs, particularly in areas with strong knowledge economies. The area's ability to maintain high median incomes while becoming more diverse could serve as a model for inclusive community development in similar suburban contexts.
