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Demographic Transition in Zip Code 59758: From White Majority to Increasing Hispanic Population
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The zip code 59758 in West Yellowstone, Montana, is categorized as a "Transitional Community" with increasing diversity as of 2022. The area has shifted from a predominantly white community to one with a growing Hispanic population. The current demographic makeup shows a white majority (63%) with a significant Hispanic minority (32%), indicating a move towards "Moderate Diversity."
From 2013 to 2019, the area was characterized by "Low Diversity," with the white population consistently above 89%. A significant shift began in 2020, marking the start of a "Transitional Community" phase. The white population decreased from 97% in 2019 to 85% in 2020, and further to 63% in 2022. The Hispanic population increased from 0% in 2019 to 13% in 2020, and to 32% in 2022. The community has transitioned from "Low Diversity" to "Moderate Diversity" in three years, with two significant racial groups now represented.
Potential triggers for this shift could include changes in local industries attracting a more diverse workforce, migration patterns influenced by economic opportunities or housing affordability, and possible policy changes or community initiatives promoting diversity.
Median income has fluctuated over the past decade. It peaked in 2014 at $56,176, then declined to a low of $46,486 in 2017. There was a significant increase from $48,048 in 2019 to $64,562 in 2021, followed by a drop to $52,019 in 2022. The population has also seen fluctuations. It decreased from 2,093 in 2013 to 1,429 in 2019. There was a recent uptick, reaching 1,816 in 2022.
The recent increase in diversity coincides with population growth, suggesting that in-migration may be driving both trends. The spike in median income in 2021 ($64,562) occurred alongside the increasing diversity, potentially indicating that new residents are bringing higher-paying jobs or skills to the area. The subsequent drop in median income in 2022 ($52,019) as diversity continued to increase might suggest a more complex economic integration process for new residents.
This demographic shift in West Yellowstone appears more dramatic than typical national trends. The rapid increase in Hispanic population (from 0% to 32% in three years) is particularly notable and may reflect larger patterns of Hispanic population growth and migration in the Western United States. The economic fluctuations, particularly the recent spike and drop in median income, may be indicative of broader economic volatility, possibly influenced by factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath.
This analysis reveals a community in significant transition, both demographically and economically. The rapid shift towards greater diversity, particularly the growth of the Hispanic population, suggests that West Yellowstone is experiencing a period of substantial change. These demographic shifts, coupled with economic fluctuations, are likely to have far-reaching impacts on local culture, services, and community dynamics in the coming years.
