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Llyswen, Pennsylvania: A Study of Racial Homogeneity and Economic Growth
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
DATA SOURCE
United States Census Bureau: American Community Survey Data (ACS)
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Llyswen, a neighborhood in Altoona, Pennsylvania, exhibits extremely low diversity, categorized as a "Low Diversity" community. As of 2022, the neighborhood is characterized by racial homogeneity, with 100% of the population identified as white. This level of homogeneity is unusual for communities in the United States. Economically, Llyswen shows a median income of $59,951 in 2022, which is above the national median income, suggesting a relatively affluent community.
Over the past decade, Llyswen has consistently maintained its status as a "Low Diversity" community. From 2013 to 2022, the white population has remained overwhelmingly dominant, never dropping below 95% and reaching 100% in recent years. There has been no significant transition between diversity categories during this period. The Hispanic population showed a slight increase from 1% to 3% between 2013 and 2017 but then declined back to 0% by 2021. This brief fluctuation did not substantially alter the neighborhood's overall demographic composition.
Llyswen has experienced notable economic changes. The median income has shown an overall upward trend, increasing from $42,258 in 2013 to $59,951 in 2022, representing a 41.9% increase over this period. This growth in median income suggests improving economic conditions for the predominantly white population.
The population of Llyswen has fluctuated over the years, decreasing from 1,599 in 2013 to 1,480 in 2022, a 7.4% decline. This population decrease, coupled with rising median incomes, could indicate a trend of gentrification or an aging population with increasing wealth.
The racial homogeneity of Llyswen is atypical for Pennsylvania, which has a white population of about 75%. The neighborhood's lack of diversity contrasts with national trends towards increasing racial and ethnic diversity in many urban and suburban areas.
The economic growth in Llyswen, as evidenced by the rising median income, aligns with broader national trends of economic recovery and growth following the 2008 recession. However, the lack of accompanying demographic diversification diverges from patterns seen in many other growing communities across the United States.
Llyswen presents a case of a neighborhood that has maintained racial homogeneity while experiencing significant economic growth. This stability in racial composition, combined with rising incomes and a slightly declining population, suggests a community that may be becoming increasingly exclusive, potentially raising questions about accessibility and inclusivity in the face of economic prosperity.
