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Demographic Transition in Ridgeline: A Study of Hispanic Population Growth and Racial Composition
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Ridgeline neighborhood in San Bernardino, California, is classified as a "Hispanic Majority" community. As of 2022, the Hispanic population comprises 58% of the neighborhood's residents. The median income in Ridgeline was $34,204 in 2022, which is below the California state median income. Ridgeline is located near the San Bernardino National Forest.
Ridgeline has experienced significant demographic changes over the past decade. In 2013, the neighborhood had "Moderate Diversity" with no single racial group holding a majority. The Hispanic population was 41%, the Black population was 30%, the White population was 15%, and the Asian population was 8%. By 2017, the community had become a "Hispanic Plurality" with the Hispanic population reaching 50%. In 2020, Ridgeline became a "Hispanic Majority" community, with the Hispanic population exceeding 60%. This shift was characterized by an increase in Hispanic residents and a decrease in other racial groups, particularly Black and White populations.
The neighborhood is also classified as a "Transitional Community" due to the consistent increase in the Hispanic population and fluctuations in other racial groups. The Asian population has maintained a presence of 3-8% throughout the decade. The economic trajectory of Ridgeline has been volatile. In 2013, the median income was $42,749. It sharply declined to $25,021 in 2014, coinciding with the demographic shift towards a Hispanic plurality. The median income remained low, around $23,000-$25,000 from 2014 to 2017.
As the Hispanic population became the majority, there was a gradual increase in median income, reaching $36,275 in 2019. However, this trend was not sustained, with income levels fluctuating in subsequent years. The 2022 median income of $34,204, while an improvement from the mid-2010s, is still lower than the 2013 figure. These economic changes may be influenced by broader economic factors affecting San Bernardino and correlate with the demographic shifts.
The demographic changes in Ridgeline reflect broader trends seen in many California cities, where Hispanic populations have been growing. However, the scale and speed of the transition in Ridgeline appear more pronounced than state averages. The economic challenges faced by the neighborhood, with median incomes well below the California average, are reflective of wider issues in San Bernardino.
The population of Ridgeline has remained relatively stable over the decade, fluctuating between 800-1000 residents. This stability in population size, coupled with significant demographic shifts, suggests that the changes are primarily due to out-migration of some groups and in-migration of others, rather than natural population growth.
Ridgeline has transformed from a moderately diverse neighborhood to a Hispanic Majority community over the past decade. This transition has been accompanied by economic volatility, with current income levels lower than they were at the beginning of the period. These changes present challenges and opportunities for community cohesion, economic development, and cultural expression in the neighborhood.
