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Demographic Transition in Zip Code 14853: From White Majority to High Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Zip code 14853 in Ithaca, New York, is classified as a "High Diversity" area as of 2022. The population composition includes 43% white, 24% Asian, 13% Black, and 12% Hispanic. The area has a median income of $22,396 and a population of 1,451 within 0.68 square miles.
This zip code has transitioned from a "White Majority" area to a "High Diversity" community over the past decade. In 2013, it was categorized as "Low Diversity" with a 74% white population. The transition began around 2015-2016, shifting to "Moderate Diversity" as the white population decreased and other racial groups increased. By 2020, it became "Majority-Minority," and achieved "High Diversity" status by 2022.
The demographic shift is characterized by a decrease in the white population from 74% to 43%, an increase in the Asian population from 10% to 24%, and approximately doubled representations of Black and Hispanic populations. These rapid changes suggest a "Transitional Community" classification.
The demographic changes correlate with shifts in median income. From 2013 to 2016, median income declined from $114,092 to $49,981. Another significant decrease occurred between 2019 and 2020, from $59,205 to $22,450. Since 2020, the median income has remained relatively stable at a low level. These economic changes coincide with increasing diversity, possibly indicating an influx of lower-income residents or students, given the proximity to Cornell University.
Population trends show growth from 945 in 2010 to 1,451 in 2022, indicating increased attractiveness or capacity despite declining income levels.
The demographic shift in this zip code is more pronounced than typical national trends. While the U.S. has become more diverse, the pace of change in this Ithaca zip code is exceptional. The substantial decrease in median income is atypical and may be unique to this area's specific circumstances, possibly related to changes in the student population or local economic factors.
The high diversity achieved in this small area is notable and might reflect broader trends in university towns or small urban centers experiencing rapid demographic changes. However, the extreme drop in median income suggests local factors at play, potentially related to changes in the composition of the student body or shifts in the local job market.
Zip code 14853 in Ithaca has undergone a rapid transformation over the past decade, evolving from a predominantly white, high-income area to a highly diverse community with much lower median income. This change represents an accelerated version of national diversity trends, coupled with unique local economic factors that warrant further investigation.
