The population of Arcadia increased by more than 2,500 people in the past decade, while the number of White residents dropped nearly 10 points to 35.9% and the number of Asians rose 10 points to nearly 55%. Meanwhile, the median value of owner-occupied homes is $768,000 now, nearly twice the $393,700 median value for a single family owner-occupied home in 2000. These numbers came this week from the U.S. Census Bureau based on five-year estimates of a 2005-2009 American Community Survey in advance of the final official Census coming next year. With about 80 fewer blacks, that percentage declined to 0.9%, leaving only one other race with more than 1% of the population: Hispanic/Latinos, which grew by more than 1,000 to 11.9% (up from 10.5% in 2000).
Despite the increase in population and shift in demographics, the percentage of residents 65-years and older remained nearly unchanged at 15.2%, as did the median age of 40.8.
Among the other interesting data points:
About 500 fewer housing units — now 19,405
Half as many vacant units — now 469 (2.4%), down from 821 (4.1%)
Nearly 60% speak a language other than English at home, up from 54.4% in 2000.
In comparison to the overall population, the number of White students in the Arcadia school district has declined more dramatically from 41.4% in the early 1990s to only 17% now — 1,655 of the overall 9,716 students, according to figures provided to ArcadiasBest.com by the school district this week. Meanwhile, the percentage of Asians has risen from 46% to 65.6%, though it has remained virtually unchanged since 2008/09, as has the percentage of Hispanic/Latino students, at 11.4%.
— By Scott Hettrick