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Demographic Analysis of Las Esperanzas: A Hispanic Majority Neighborhood with Evolving Racial Composition
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Las Esperanzas, a neighborhood in Las Cruces, New Mexico, exhibits a Hispanic Majority community with 79% Hispanic population as of 2022. This demographic composition has remained consistent over the past decade. The neighborhood's median income was $31,182 in 2022, indicating a working-class community. Las Esperanzas is located within Las Cruces, a city known for its Hispanic and Native American cultures, near the Mesilla Valley.
From 2013 to 2022, Las Esperanzas maintained its Hispanic Majority status, with the Hispanic population consistently above 70%. The Hispanic population increased from 74% in 2013 to 79% in 2022. The White population decreased from 22% in 2013 to 13% in 2022. The Black population increased from 1% in 2013 to 6% in 2022. These changes suggest a gradual shift towards a more diverse population within the non-Hispanic groups.
The median income in Las Esperanzas has fluctuated over the years. It reached a peak of $37,118 in 2020, coinciding with the highest Hispanic population percentage of 81% in 2019. The income then decreased to $30,964 in 2021 and slightly increased to $31,182 in 2022. The period of highest income (2017-2020) corresponded with a slight decrease in the Hispanic majority. The population has steadily declined from 5,406 in 2010 to 4,579 in 2022.
The demographic trends in Las Esperanzas are similar to broader patterns in the Southwest United States, where Hispanic populations have been growing. The neighborhood's 79% Hispanic population is higher than the New Mexico state average of approximately 50%. The median income of $31,182 in 2022 is below the New Mexico median household income of approximately $51,945 in 2021, indicating greater economic challenges in Las Esperanzas.
The increase in Black and Asian populations aligns with national trends of increasing diversity in urban areas. However, the overall population decrease in Las Esperanzas contrasts with the general population growth in many Southwestern cities, suggesting local factors affecting resident retention and attraction.
Las Esperanzas presents a stable Hispanic Majority community experiencing gradual diversification and economic fluctuations. The neighborhood's evolving demographics and economic challenges may present opportunities and obstacles for community development and cultural preservation in the future.
