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Demographic and Economic Trends in Escena: Transition to White Majority Community
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Escena, a neighborhood in Palm Springs, California, has transitioned to a White Majority community with a median income of $116,686 as of 2022. The neighborhood has undergone significant demographic and economic changes over the past decade. Escena is characterized by modern architecture and a golf course community, attracting retirees and vacation homeowners, which influences its demographic composition.
From 2013 to 2022, Escena experienced notable demographic shifts. The neighborhood progressed from a Moderate Diversity area with significant white and Hispanic populations in 2013-2016, to a White Plurality community in 2017-2019, and finally to a White Majority community in 2020-2022. This transition indicates an increasing white population, possibly due to an influx of retirees or second-home buyers attracted to Palm Springs' amenities.
The median income in Escena has shown a substantial upward trend. Income levels were relatively stable from 2013 to 2016, ranging from $45,694 to $56,838. A significant increase occurred in 2017-2019, with median income rising to $103,972. Further increases brought the median income to $116,686 in 2020-2022. This income growth correlates with the shift towards a White Majority community, suggesting an influx of more affluent residents. The population also grew from 465 in 2013 to 760 in 2022, indicating the neighborhood's increasing attractiveness.
The demographic shifts in Escena reflect broader trends in many upscale communities across the United States, where increasing property values and amenities attract wealthier, often older, and predominantly white residents. This phenomenon is sometimes associated with gentrification in urban areas or the development of exclusive communities in resort destinations like Palm Springs.
The rapid income growth in Escena outpaces national trends. While the U.S. median household income grew by about 10% from 2013 to 2022 (adjusted for inflation), Escena's median income more than doubled in the same period. The decrease in Hispanic population percentage (from 27% in 2013 to 17% in 2022) and the increase in Asian population (from 2% to 7%) suggest changing dynamics that may be influenced by broader California demographic trends, where Asian populations have been growing in many communities.
Escena has transformed from a moderately diverse, middle-income neighborhood to a high-income, White Majority community over the past decade. This shift likely reflects both local development strategies and broader socioeconomic trends affecting desirable resort communities. The changes highlight the complex interplay between demographic shifts, economic growth, and community character in evolving urban landscapes.
