Loading Content...
Demographic Analysis of Santa Barbara's Upper East Neighborhood: Persistent White Majority and Racial Composition
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Upper East neighborhood of Santa Barbara, California, is characterized as a Low Diversity community with a White Majority, with 81% of the population identifying as white in 2022. The area has a median income of $111,902 as of 2022, which is above the national average. The neighborhood's demographic composition and economic status have remained relatively stable over the past decade, with minor shifts observed.
Throughout the period from 2013 to 2022, the Upper East neighborhood has maintained its status as a Low Diversity area with a White Majority. The white population has ranged from 76% to 86% of the total population. There has been a small increase in diversity over the years. The Asian population increased from 1% in 2013 to 4% in 2022. The Hispanic population has remained between 9% and 17%. Black residents appeared in the data in 2021 (6%) and 2022 (2%). The percentage of residents identifying as two or more races increased from 0% in 2013 to 4% in 2022.
The median income in the Upper East neighborhood has fluctuated but remained high. The highest median income was recorded in 2015 at $132,320, while the lowest was in 2018 at $96,862. Since 2018, there has been an upward trend, with the median income stabilizing around $112,000 in recent years. The slight increase in diversity coincides with a period of relative economic stability in the neighborhood.
The Upper East neighborhood's demographic and economic trends differ from national patterns. While the U.S. has become more diverse overall, this neighborhood has maintained its predominantly white composition, with small increases in minority representation. The median household income in the U.S. was $70,784 in 2021, indicating that the Upper East neighborhood's median income is nearly 60% higher than the national average. The stability of the white majority in this neighborhood contrasts with many urban areas across the U.S. that have experienced more rapid diversification.
The Upper East neighborhood, while showing subtle shifts towards increased diversity, remains a predominantly white, high-income area within Santa Barbara. The area's economic prosperity and location likely contribute to its demographic stability, even as it shows small signs of increasing racial representation. This gradual change may indicate a slow but steady trend towards a more diverse community in the future, albeit one that remains economically exclusive due to its high property values and income levels.
