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Demographic Shift in El Nido (95317): From Moderate Diversity to Hispanic Majority
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The zip code 95317 in El Nido, California, has undergone a significant demographic transition from 2013 to 2022. In 2022, the area is categorized as a "Hispanic Majority" community, with 58% of the population identifying as Hispanic. This represents a change from the demographic composition a decade earlier. The population of the area in 2022 is 358, with a median income of $65,565.
The demographic shift in El Nido has been gradual but consistent over the past decade. In 2013, the community was almost equally divided between Hispanic (47%) and White (47%) residents, classifying it as a "Moderate Diversity" area. By 2022, the Hispanic population increased to 58%, while the White population decreased to 37%, reclassifying the area as "Hispanic Majority". The transition point occurred around 2017 when the Hispanic population exceeded 50%.
The community has also experienced minor increases in diversity in other racial categories. The Black population increased slightly from 0% to 1% by 2022. The "Two or More Races" category emerged, growing from 0% in 2013 to 3% by 2022, indicating a "Transitional Community" aspect as the area diversifies beyond the two dominant groups.
The demographic changes in El Nido have occurred alongside fluctuations in median income. The median income was $48,593 in 2013. Over the following decade, it exhibited considerable volatility, reaching a maximum of $74,887 in 2019 before declining to $65,565 in 2022. Despite these fluctuations, the overall trend shows an increase in median income of approximately 35% from 2013 to 2022.
As the Hispanic population became the majority, the median income generally increased, suggesting that this demographic shift did not negatively impact the area's economic status. The years with the highest median incomes (2017-2020) coincided with the period when the Hispanic population became the majority.
The population of the zip code has decreased over the decade, from 523 in 2013 to 358 in 2022, a decline of about 32%. This population decrease, combined with the increase in median income, might suggest a complex socio-economic shift, possibly involving outmigration of lower-income residents or an influx of higher-income Hispanic residents.
The demographic shift observed in El Nido aligns with broader trends seen across California and the United States, where the Hispanic population has been growing. However, the scale and speed of the transition in this small community are noteworthy. The economic resilience of the area during this demographic shift is also significant, as it counters some stereotypes about the economic impact of changing racial demographics.
The volatility in median income and the population decline set this community apart from many urban and suburban areas in California, which have often seen steady population growth and more stable income trends. This suggests that El Nido may be facing unique local economic or social factors influencing its demographic and economic evolution.
El Nido presents a case study of rapid demographic transition in a small community, coupled with economic fluctuations and population decline. These trends highlight the complex interplay between racial demographics, economic factors, and population dynamics in shaping the character and future of small American communities.
