The Appalachian Regional Commission reports that Appalachia’s overall population is declining. The Northern and North Central Appalachia regions including Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, and New York are declining the most. In contrast, Southern Appalachia, especially Georgia, is experiencing a population growth–greater than the national average in some counties.
Beaver County and its neighboring counties:
The Diversity Index (DI) gives us a statistical sense of the racial/ethnic mix of a county. For example, Beaver County’s DI is 26.1%, meaning that there is better than a 1 in 4 chance that any two people in Beaver County will be of a different race or ethnicity. Allegheny’s DI is 41.6%, meaning that there is almost a 50% chance that any two people will be of a different race or ethnicity. Over the past decade, Beaver County and all its surrounding counties have become more diverse. Here is a listing from the most to least diverse:
Allegheny County = 41.6% (↑8.4%)
Beaver County = 26.1% (↑8.3%)
Lawrence County = 21.9% (diversity index ↑8.9%, greatest gain in diversity)
Washington County = 20.0% (↑7.4%)
Hancock County, WV = 18% (↑8%)
Columbiana County, OH = 16% (↑6%)
Butler County = 15.4% (↑7.3%)
Sustainability
Inclusivity & Diversity
Creativity
Social Justice
Environmental Justice
Participatory Democracy
Critical Perspectives
Cultural & Social Issues
Public History Focus
Black Appalachia
Queer Appalachia
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