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Demographic Shifts and Racial Diversity in Harlan Heights, Tucson
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Harlan Heights, a neighborhood in Tucson, Arizona, currently exhibits a "Transitional Community" profile with a trend towards increasing diversity. As of 2022, the neighborhood has a "White Plurality" with 56% of the population identifying as white, while showing significant growth in Hispanic and Asian populations over the past decade. With a median income of $48,139 in 2022, Harlan Heights presents a mixed economic picture, reflecting the evolving demographics of this desert community known for its proximity to the University of Arizona.
Over the past decade, Harlan Heights has transitioned from a "White Majority" community to a "White Plurality" with increasing diversity. In 2013, the neighborhood exhibited "Low Diversity" with a 79% white population. However, by 2022, this percentage had decreased to 56%, just barely maintaining a plurality status. The Hispanic population has grown significantly, from 15% in 2013 to 29% in 2022, becoming the second-largest demographic group. Additionally, the Asian population has shown notable growth, increasing from 2% to 5% over the same period.
This shift towards a more diverse community may be attributed to several factors, including the expansion of the University of Arizona, which often attracts a more diverse student and faculty population, as well as broader immigration trends in the Southwest.
The demographic shifts in Harlan Heights have been accompanied by fluctuations in median income. In 2013, the median income was $39,548, which increased to a peak of $50,653 in 2021 before slightly declining to $48,139 in 2022. This overall upward trend in income, despite some recent volatility, suggests that the increasing diversity has been accompanied by economic growth.
The population of Harlan Heights has also grown over this period, from 3,401 in 2013 to 4,118 in 2022, indicating that the neighborhood has become more attractive to new residents. This population growth, combined with the income increases, suggests that the demographic shifts may be partly driven by an influx of middle-income families from diverse backgrounds.
The trends observed in Harlan Heights mirror broader patterns seen in many urban areas across the United States, particularly in the Southwest. The increasing Hispanic population is consistent with national demographic shifts, especially in border states like Arizona. The growth in the Asian population, while smaller in absolute terms, is also reflective of national trends of increasing Asian-American populations in university towns and tech hubs.
The economic fluctuations seen in Harlan Heights, with overall growth but recent volatility, are also consistent with national economic trends, including the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recovery. The neighborhood's median income, while showing improvement, remains below the national median, which was approximately $70,784 in 2021, indicating that Harlan Heights is still a relatively affordable area within Tucson.
Harlan Heights exemplifies a community in transition, moving from a predominantly white, low-diversity area to a more pluralistic and diverse neighborhood. This shift has been accompanied by moderate economic growth and population increases, suggesting a dynamic and evolving community landscape. As Harlan Heights continues to diversify, it will be important to monitor how these changes affect community cohesion, local services, and economic opportunities for all residents.
