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Demographic Shifts in Pheasant Ridge: From White Majority to Increasing Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Pheasant Ridge, a neighborhood in Tempe, Arizona, is classified as a "Low Diversity" community with a White Majority. As of 2022, the white population comprises 61% of the neighborhood, with a Hispanic presence of 23%. The area is characterized by a high median income of $163,366 in 2022, exceeding national averages. Pheasant Ridge's proximity to Arizona State University may influence its demographic composition and economic status.
Over the past decade, Pheasant Ridge has transitioned from an area of extremely low diversity to one showing signs of increasing diversity, though still categorized as "Low Diversity." In 2013, the neighborhood had a strong "White Majority" with 78% of the population being white. This majority reached its peak in 2017-2018 at 91%. From 2019 onwards, a shift towards greater diversity has been observed. The white population decreased from 91% in 2018 to 61% in 2022, while the Hispanic population increased from 2% to 23% during the same period. This trend indicates that Pheasant Ridge is becoming a "Transitional Community," potentially moving towards "Moderate Diversity" if current trends persist.
The median income in Pheasant Ridge has remained consistently high throughout the observed period, fluctuating between approximately $145,000 and $166,000. The highest median income of $166,280 was recorded in 2017 when the white majority was at its peak (91%). As the community began to diversify from 2019 onwards, the median income showed some fluctuations but remained high, reaching $163,366 in 2022.
The population has remained relatively stable, ranging from 230 to 250 residents, with a notable increase to 292 in 2020. This stability in population, combined with consistently high median incomes, suggests that the demographic shifts are likely due to gradual changes in homeownership or rentals, rather than large-scale displacement or rapid gentrification.
The demographic shifts observed in Pheasant Ridge align with broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban areas. However, the neighborhood's extremely high median income distinguishes it from many transitional communities across the U.S. The growing Hispanic population in Pheasant Ridge reflects Arizona's overall demographic trends, where the Hispanic population has been steadily increasing.
The maintenance of high median incomes despite increasing diversity is noteworthy, as it differs from patterns seen in some other transitioning neighborhoods where demographic changes are accompanied by significant economic shifts. This could indicate that the new residents moving into Pheasant Ridge are likely high-income earners, possibly professionals or academics associated with nearby Arizona State University.
Pheasant Ridge presents a case of a high-income, predominantly white neighborhood gradually transitioning towards greater diversity while maintaining its economic status. This trend could potentially lead to a more inclusive, yet still affluent community in the coming years, pending continued demographic shifts.
