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Sierra Heights: A Study of Racial Demographics in a Low Diversity Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Sierra Heights, a neighborhood in Mesa, Arizona, is classified as a "Low Diversity" community with a "White Majority" as of 2022. The area has maintained a predominantly white population over the past decade, with signs of gradual diversification. The median income in Sierra Heights was $105,878 in 2022, indicating an affluent area within Mesa. The neighborhood has experienced significant population growth, increasing from 452 residents in 2010 to 938 in 2022.
From 2013 to 2022, Sierra Heights has consistently been categorized as "Low Diversity," with the white population exceeding 75% for most years. In 2013, the white population was 88%. By 2018, it decreased to 75%. In 2020, the area briefly transitioned to "Moderate Diversity" with a 72% white population. As of 2022, it returned to "Low Diversity" with 78% white population.
The demographic shifts correlate with economic trends. The median income peaked in 2017 at $123,946, coinciding with the start of more noticeable demographic diversification. There was a significant drop in median income to $96,533 in 2020, corresponding with the brief period of "Moderate Diversity." Since then, income has been recovering, reaching $105,878 in 2022 as the community returned to "Low Diversity" status.
The gradual diversification of Sierra Heights aligns with broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban areas. However, the neighborhood's persistent "Low Diversity" status and high median income suggest it may be lagging behind national averages in terms of integration.
The significant population growth in Sierra Heights, from 452 in 2010 to 938 in 2022, outpaces the national average for suburban growth. This rapid expansion, combined with consistently high median incomes, indicates that Sierra Heights has become an increasingly desirable location, possibly attracting more diverse, affluent residents over time.
The brief dip in median income and increased diversity in 2020 may reflect the broader economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disproportionately affected minority communities nationwide. The subsequent rebound in both income and white population percentage could suggest a degree of economic resilience in the neighborhood, possibly tied to its historically affluent status.
Sierra Heights remains a predominantly white, affluent neighborhood, but shows signs of gradual diversification and economic evolution. These changes, though slower than national averages, reflect broader trends of suburban diversification and economic shifts, positioning Sierra Heights as a community in subtle but meaningful transition.
