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Demographic Analysis of Montecito, Mesa: White Majority with Increasing Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Montecito neighborhood in Mesa, Arizona, is classified as a "White Majority" community with "Low Diversity" as of 2022, with the white population comprising 73% of the total. The neighborhood has a median income of $200,000, which has remained stable since 2019, indicating high economic prosperity. Montecito is known for its luxurious golf course communities and upscale residential developments.
Over the past decade, Montecito has experienced subtle demographic changes. In 2013, the neighborhood was categorized as "White Majority" with 71% white population. This classification persisted throughout the decade, peaking at 87-88% white population in 2016-2018. From 2019 onwards, there has been a gradual shift towards increased diversity, although still within the "White Majority" framework.
The Hispanic population has shown significant fluctuation, decreasing from 16% in 2013 to 4% in 2017, then rebounding to 20% in 2022. This recent increase suggests a trend towards "Moderate Diversity," though the community has not yet reached that threshold. The Asian population has remained relatively stable, ranging between 3-7% throughout the decade.
Montecito's economic trajectory has been consistently upward. The median income increased from $125,367 in 2013 to $200,000 in 2019, where it has remained. This economic growth coincided with the period of lowest diversity (2016-2018), suggesting that the neighborhood's increasing affluence may have initially attracted a more homogeneous population.
The recent trend towards greater diversity, particularly the increase in Hispanic residents, has occurred while maintaining the high median income. This could indicate that the neighborhood is attracting more diverse, high-income professionals. The population has grown steadily from 187 in 2010 to 379 in 2022.
The demographic shifts in Montecito reflect broader national trends towards increasing diversity in affluent suburbs. The neighborhood's extremely high median income sets it apart from many similar communities. The stability of this high income, even as diversity increases, contrasts with some national patterns where increasing diversity has sometimes been associated with changes in neighborhood socioeconomic status.
The recent increase in Hispanic residents aligns with Arizona's overall demographic trends. Montecito's ability to maintain its high income levels while diversifying suggests it may be attracting particularly affluent members of minority groups.
Montecito remains a "White Majority" community with "Low Diversity," but shows signs of transitioning towards a more diverse future. This evolution, occurring without compromising its economic status, positions Montecito as a case study in how affluent communities can diversify while maintaining their economic character.
