Population Distribution
As with most cities, Phoenix’s population is not evenly distributed. Certain segments of the population live in certain parts of the metropolitan region. In Phoenix, the questions become: who lives in the city? Who lives in the surrounding suburbs? And who is moving into the new houses on the urban fringe?
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Persons over 55 years of age represent almost one-third of new urban fringe residents. These residents tend to congregate in the numerous age-segregated retirement communities located along the northwest and eastern edges of the urban area. . . . Migrants to the fringe have higher incomes than their more centrally-located counterparts. About two-thirds of recent edge migrants reported household incomes above $50,000, compared to one-half of movers to more central locations. . . . Fringe migrants tended to favor ‘newness’ more than proximity to work, quality of schools, transit or established neighborhoods. They also felt a surprisingly strong sense of community and belonging in their new neighborhoods.
Source: Morrison Institute for Public Policy. “Hits and Misses: Fast Growth in Metropolitan Phoenix." September 2000. http://www.asu.edu/copp/morrison/
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Questions:
1. Based on the chart, what can you say about the distribution of the population of Phoenix?
2. Who is drawn to move to the urban fringe in Phoenix?
3. How might housing developments cater to these potential buyers?
4. Who is more likely to live in the city of Phoenix? Who is more likely to live in the suburbs? Why might this be the case?
