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Racial Demographic Evolution in Zip Code 52162: From White Majority to Moderate Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Zip code 52162 in Postville, Iowa, is categorized as a "White Majority" community with moderate diversity as of 2022. The white population comprises 62% of the total, while Hispanic residents make up 28%. The area has experienced demographic shifts over the past decade, along with fluctuations in median income and population growth.
From 2013 to 2022, Postville has shown signs of being a "Transitional Community." The white population decreased from 78% to 62%, while the Hispanic population increased from 19% to 28%. The community has transitioned from "Low Diversity" with a dominant white majority in 2013 to "Moderate Diversity" in 2022, with two significant racial groups each exceeding 20% of the population. The Black population has shown consistent growth from 1% in 2013 to 7% in 2022, contributing to the area's increasing diversity.
The median income has shown significant fluctuations. From 2013 to 2019, it grew from $44,330 to $53,693. There was an increase to $76,707 in 2020 and $77,674 in 2021, followed by a decline to $57,727 in 2022. The population has grown from 3,433 in 2013 to 3,618 in 2022, an increase of about 5.4%. This growth coincides with the increasing diversity of the community.
The increasing diversity, particularly the growth in the Hispanic population, may be linked to economic opportunities in the area. The increase in median income in 2020-2021 could have attracted more diverse populations seeking employment. The recent decline in median income (2022) might be related to the rapid demographic changes, possibly reflecting adjustments in the local job market or economy as the community becomes more diverse.
Postville's demographic evolution reflects broader national trends of increasing diversity in rural and small-town America. The growth of the Hispanic population aligns with nationwide patterns of Hispanic population growth in non-traditional settlement areas. The income volatility, especially the sharp increase and subsequent decrease, may be related to local economic factors or potentially the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath.
Postville, Iowa (zip code 52162) exemplifies a "Transitional Community" moving from low to moderate diversity over the past decade. This demographic shift has been accompanied by population growth and significant income fluctuations. The area's evolution offers a microcosm of the changing face of rural America, balancing traditional demographics with increasing diversity and the economic implications that come with such transitions.
