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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The S. Elm/Hickory neighborhood in Escondido, California, exhibits a Moderate Diversity demographic profile with a Hispanic Plurality as of 2022. The Hispanic population comprises 46% of the community, while the White population accounts for 42%. Over the past decade, the neighborhood has experienced fluctuations in population and median income. The 2022 median income is $36,424, a decrease from its peak of $51,801 in 2017. The area is characterized by a combination of residential and commercial zones, with a notable Hispanic cultural influence in local businesses and community events.
The neighborhood has transitioned from a Majority-Minority community to one of Moderate Diversity with a Hispanic Plurality over the past decade. In 2013, the area was classified as Majority-Minority, with Hispanic residents making up 47% of the population and White residents 39%. From 2015 to 2017, the community briefly shifted to a White Plurality, with White residents reaching 52% of the population. Since 2020, there has been a resurgence in the Hispanic population, leading to the current Hispanic Plurality.
Asian and Black populations have shown slight increases, contributing to the neighborhood's growing diversity. The percentage of residents identifying as two or more races reached a peak of 6% in 2019 but has since declined, possibly due to changes in self-identification or migration patterns.
The median income in the neighborhood has experienced significant volatility. It peaked at $51,801 in 2017, coinciding with the period of White Plurality. A sharp decline to $38,591 occurred in 2018, followed by further drops to a low of $33,239 in 2019. This economic downturn correlates with the shift back towards a Hispanic Plurality and may indicate changing job markets or economic pressures affecting different demographic groups disproportionately.
The neighborhood's population has fluctuated, reaching a low of 1,223 in 2017 before increasing to 1,857 in 2022. This population growth, combined with the declining median income, suggests an influx of lower-income residents, possibly due to more affordable housing options or changing economic opportunities in the area.
The demographic shifts observed in S. Elm/Hickory reflect broader trends seen in many California cities, where Hispanic populations are growing and becoming increasingly influential in local demographics and economies. The fluctuation between White and Hispanic pluralities is representative of the dynamic nature of California's urban demographics, often influenced by factors such as immigration, economic opportunities, and housing affordability.
The economic volatility experienced by this neighborhood, particularly the sharp decline in median income from 2017 to 2019, may be more pronounced than state-wide trends. This could indicate localized economic challenges or shifts in the neighborhood's job market that warrant further investigation.
The recent increase in population despite lower median incomes could be part of a larger trend of internal migration within California, where residents move from higher-cost areas to more affordable neighborhoods, potentially changing the demographic and economic landscape of communities like S. Elm/Hickory.
The S. Elm/Hickory neighborhood exemplifies the dynamic nature of urban demographics in California, with its shift towards Moderate Diversity and Hispanic Plurality reflecting broader state trends. The economic challenges evidenced by declining median incomes amidst population growth suggest a community in transition, potentially grappling with issues of affordability and changing economic opportunities that merit attention from local policymakers and community leaders.