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Racial Composition and Diversity in Osco, Illinois: A Demographic Study
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Osco, Illinois, is classified as a Low Diversity community with a White Majority. As of 2022, the white population comprises 97% of the total, exceeding the 75% threshold for Low Diversity classification. The city's median income is $101,740 in 2022, indicating a relatively affluent community. The population is 576 residents spread over 0.19 square miles.
Over the past decade, Osco has maintained its status as a Low Diversity, White Majority community. From 2013 to 2017, there was a slight decrease in the white population percentage, dropping from 99% to 87%. This period saw a minor increase in diversity, with the Hispanic population rising to 13% by 2017. Post-2017, there was a reversal of this trend, with the white population percentage increasing again, reaching 97% by 2022.
The median income in Osco has shown overall growth, rising from $94,090 in 2013 to $101,740 in 2022, an increase of about 8.1% over nine years. This growth correlates with the strengthening of the White Majority status. The population of Osco has decreased from 725 in 2013 to 576 in 2022, a decline of about 20.6%.
Osco appears to be moving counter to national trends towards increasing diversity. This could be due to its small size and rural location, which may limit exposure to diverse populations or economic opportunities that typically drive demographic changes in larger urban areas.
Based on observed trends, Osco will likely continue to be classified as a Low Diversity, White Majority community in the near future. The reversal of the brief diversification trend and the steady increase in median income suggest that the current demographic makeup is likely to persist.
External factors such as broader economic shifts, changes in nearby urban centers, or policy changes could potentially alter this trajectory. If economic opportunities in the area diversify or if there's an influx of new residents from different backgrounds, a gradual shift towards a Moderate Diversity classification might occur. However, given the current strong trend towards homogeneity, such a shift would likely take many years to materialize without significant external influences.
Osco presents a case of a small, affluent community that has maintained and strengthened its demographic homogeneity over the past decade, contrary to many national trends. This stability in racial composition, coupled with economic growth and population decline, indicates a community that may be becoming increasingly exclusive, potentially raising questions about long-term sustainability and inclusivity.
