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Demographic Analysis of San Roque: Low Diversity and White Majority
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The San Roque neighborhood in Santa Barbara, California, exhibits a Low Diversity demographic profile, with a White Majority comprising 84% of the population as of 2022. The neighborhood has a high median income of $102,762, positioning it as an affluent area within Santa Barbara. San Roque is known for its Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and tree-lined streets, contributing to its reputation as a desirable neighborhood.
Over the past decade, San Roque has consistently maintained its status as a White Majority community, with the white population never dropping below 74%. From 2013 to 2019, the neighborhood showed signs of becoming more diverse, with the white population decreasing from 76% to 74%. Post-2019, there was a reversal of this trend, with the white population increasing to 84% by 2022, solidifying its Low Diversity classification.
The Hispanic population fluctuated significantly, peaking at 18% in 2019 before dropping to 6% in 2022. There has been an increase in the "Two or More Races" category, from negligible levels to 5% in 2022, suggesting a growing multiracial population.
The median income in San Roque has remained consistently high throughout the observed period, fluctuating between approximately $102,000 and $119,000. The highest median income ($119,148 in 2016) coincided with a period of slightly increasing diversity. The most recent trend towards lower diversity (2020-2022) has occurred alongside a slight decrease in median income, from a peak of $116,292 in 2019 to $102,762 in 2022. Population has remained relatively stable, with a slight increase from 2,143 in 2013 to 2,367 in 2022, suggesting controlled growth and potentially limited new housing development.
San Roque's demographic profile contrasts with broader trends in California and the United States. While California as a whole is becoming increasingly diverse and is now a Majority-Minority state, San Roque has maintained its White Majority status and has even seen an increase in this majority in recent years. The neighborhood's median income is significantly higher than both the California median (approximately $78,672 in 2021) and the U.S. median ($69,021 in 2021), indicating its status as an affluent enclave. The recent increase in residents identifying as two or more races aligns with national trends, as the U.S. saw a significant increase in this category in the 2020 Census.
San Roque presents a case of a high-income, predominantly white neighborhood that has resisted broader trends towards increased diversity seen in the surrounding region and nation. While there were signs of increasing diversity in the mid-2010s, recent years have seen a reinforcement of its Low Diversity status. This trend, coupled with consistently high median incomes, suggests that San Roque remains an exclusive and sought-after neighborhood within Santa Barbara, potentially raising questions about housing affordability and socioeconomic inclusivity in the area.
