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Superstition Highlands: A Study of Low Diversity and White Majority in an Arizona Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Superstition Highlands, a neighborhood in Gilbert, Arizona, is classified as a "Low Diversity" community with a "White Majority" as of 2022. The neighborhood has a population of 649 and a median income of $113,073. Superstition Highlands is located near the Superstition Mountains, which provides residents with scenic views and access to outdoor recreational activities.
Over the past decade, Superstition Highlands has maintained its status as a "Low Diversity" community with a "White Majority." The white population has remained dominant, ranging from 60% to 78% throughout the years. From 2013 to 2017, the neighborhood showed signs of moving towards "Moderate Diversity," with the Hispanic population reaching 25% in 2017 and the Asian population peaking at 14% in 2014. After 2017, there was a trend reversal, with the white population increasing from 62% to 78% by 2022, reinforcing the "Low Diversity" classification.
The median income in Superstition Highlands has fluctuated over the years, showing a correlation with demographic shifts. From 2013 to 2016, as the community showed signs of increasing diversity, the median income rose from $95,284 to $110,158. During the period of peak diversity (2017-2019), the median income slightly decreased, dropping to $99,807 in 2019. A significant dip in median income occurred in 2020 ($71,202), coinciding with a sharp increase in the white population percentage (76%). By 2022, as the white majority strengthened to 78%, the median income rebounded to its highest level of $113,073.
The demographic trends in Superstition Highlands differ from national trends, which generally show increasing diversity in suburban areas. The neighborhood's shift towards lower diversity in recent years is noteworthy, especially given its location in Arizona, a state known for its growing Hispanic population.
The median income in Superstition Highlands ($113,073 in 2022) is significantly higher than the national median household income (approximately $70,784 in 2021), indicating that this is a particularly affluent area. This high income level, combined with the trend towards lower diversity, suggests that Superstition Highlands may be experiencing a form of economic segregation, where affluent white residents are increasingly concentrated in this desirable area.
The population growth from 371 in 2010 to 649 in 2022 indicates that Superstition Highlands is an attractive location for new residents. However, this growth has not led to increased racial diversity, which is unusual for rapidly growing suburban areas in the Southwest United States.
Superstition Highlands presents a case of a neighborhood that has maintained and strengthened its "Low Diversity" and "White Majority" status over the past decade, while simultaneously experiencing significant economic growth. This trend raises questions about housing affordability, local policies, and socio-economic factors that may be influencing these demographic patterns.
