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Demographic Shifts in Torrey Highlands: From White Majority to Moderate Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Torrey Highlands, a neighborhood in San Diego, California, presents a demographic profile categorized as a "Moderate Diversity" community. As of 2022, the neighborhood lacks a clear racial majority, with White (44%) and Asian (33%) populations forming the largest groups, followed by a Hispanic presence (16%). The neighborhood has a median income of $143,958, positioning it as an affluent area within San Diego. Torrey Highlands is designed as a master-planned community, featuring a mix of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.
Over the past decade, Torrey Highlands has undergone a transformation in its racial composition. In 2013, the neighborhood had a "White Majority" with 56% of the population. By 2022, it transitioned to a "Moderate Diversity" status. This shift is attributed to a decrease in the White population percentage (from 56% to 44%) and increases in Asian (from 30% to 33%) and Hispanic (from 9% to 16%) populations.
The community has maintained a significant Asian presence, around 30-33% throughout the decade. The Hispanic population has shown steady growth, nearly doubling from 9% in 2013 to 16% in 2022. The category of "Two or More Races" has tripled from 2% to 6%, indicating an increasing trend towards multiracial identities.
The economic trajectory of Torrey Highlands over the past decade is notable. The median income increased from $177,735 in 2013 to a peak of $197,545 in 2019, representing a growth of about 11%. There was a decline to $150,438 in 2020, likely due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The median income has continued to fluctuate, settling at $143,958 in 2022.
Despite recent decline, Torrey Highlands remains an affluent area. The high median income correlates with the increasing diversity, suggesting that the neighborhood is attracting high-earning professionals from various racial backgrounds, particularly Asian and Hispanic communities.
The population has grown from 4,373 in 2013 to 4,922 in 2022, an increase of about 12.5%. This growth, combined with the changing racial composition, indicates that the neighborhood is attracting new residents while potentially seeing some turnover in its existing population.
The demographic shifts in Torrey Highlands mirror trends seen in many affluent suburban areas across the United States, particularly those near tech hubs. The increasing Asian population is consistent with trends in other high-income areas in California, often associated with the growth of the tech industry. The growth in the Hispanic population is part of a larger demographic shift occurring throughout California and the Southwest.
The neighborhood's high median income places it above both the San Diego median and the national median. This economic status, combined with its increasing diversity, positions Torrey Highlands as an example of how affluent communities are evolving in terms of racial composition in the 21st century.
Torrey Highlands exemplifies a "Transitional Community," moving from a predominantly White area to one of increasing diversity, while maintaining its status as an economically prosperous neighborhood. This transition reflects broader societal changes and may offer insights into the future demographic composition of high-income suburban communities across the United States.
