The median income in Mission Beach has fluctuated over the years but generally maintained a high level. In 2013, the median income was $80,272, peaking at $104,069 in 2016 before settling at $89,769 in 2022. This overall increase in median income coincides with the gradual diversification of the neighborhood, suggesting that the incoming residents from diverse backgrounds may be relatively affluent.

The population has remained relatively stable over the decade, fluctuating between about 3,000 to 3,600 residents. This stability, combined with the high and increasing median income, indicates that Mission Beach remains an attractive and expensive area to live in, potentially limiting rapid demographic changes.

The slow diversification of Mission Beach aligns with broader trends seen in many coastal California communities, where historically white-majority areas are gradually becoming more diverse. However, the pace of change in Mission Beach appears slower than in many other parts of San Diego or California as a whole, which have generally seen more rapid increases in diversity over the same period.

The high median income of Mission Beach, consistently above $80,000 throughout the decade, places it well above the national median income (which was around $67,521 in 2020). This suggests that despite the gradual increase in diversity, Mission Beach remains a relatively exclusive neighborhood, likely due to its desirable beachfront location and tourist appeal.

Mission Beach is showing signs of becoming more diverse, but remains a predominantly white, affluent community. The slow pace of demographic change, coupled with consistently high median incomes, suggests that while the neighborhood is gradually opening up to more diverse residents, economic barriers may be slowing this transition compared to other areas in the region.