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Demographic Shifts in Zip Code 68465: White Majority with Emerging Racial Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The zip code 68465 in Wilber, Nebraska, is classified as a "White Majority" community with emerging diversity as of 2022. The area has a population of 1,372 and a median income of $66,373. The white population remains dominant at 72%, but there has been an increase in racial diversity over the past decade, particularly in the Hispanic population.
The community has transitioned from low diversity to moderate diversity. In 2013, 87% of the population was white, decreasing to 72% by 2022. The most significant change has been the growth of the Hispanic population, from 10% in 2013 to 23% in 2022. This trend suggests the community is becoming a "Transitional Community" with respect to Hispanic representation. The Asian population grew from 1% to 2%, and those identifying as two or more races increased from 2% to 3% between 2013 and 2022.
The median income has shown an upward trend, rising from $53,252 in 2013 to $66,373 in 2022, an increase of about 24.6% over nine years. The population has experienced fluctuations, decreasing from 1,403 in 2013 to a low of 1,307 in 2014, then gradually increasing to 1,372 in 2022. This suggests a period of outmigration followed by a recovery and slight growth.
The increase in median income coincides with the growth in diversity, particularly the Hispanic population. This could indicate that the influx of Hispanic residents may be linked to economic opportunities in the area. Despite initial population decline, the community has shown resilience, with numbers recovering and slightly growing. This could be attributed to the increasing diversity attracting new residents and potentially new economic activities.
The trends observed in Wilber align with broader national patterns of increasing diversity in small towns and rural areas. The growth of the Hispanic population mirrors trends seen in many Midwestern communities where agricultural and food processing industries have attracted Latino workers. The steady increase in median income suggests that Wilber has maintained economic stability and growth during this demographic transition.
Wilber exemplifies a "Transitional Community" moving from "Low Diversity" to "Moderate Diversity," primarily driven by Hispanic population growth. This demographic shift has occurred alongside economic growth, suggesting a potentially symbiotic relationship between increased diversity and economic development in the area. As the community continues to evolve, it will be important to monitor how these changes affect local institutions, services, and community cohesion.
