Demographics: Population of the Sonoran Desert

Factors Leading to Population Growth

Population growth in the Sonoran Desert and the Southwestern US and Northwestern Mexico and the borderlands in general is the result of natural increase, and more importantly in this region, an influx of people in search of amenities and/or opportunities. Population statistics are one means of investigating the distribution of and the possible relationship of growth, age, ethnicity, income, education and many other factors. The patterns suggested in the tables in this section fit well with multiple social issues facing the people of the Sonoran Desert and fuel the growing concern of those who deem continued biodiversity and protection of Sonoran Desert Ecosystems a priority.

Natural Increase

Natural increase is occurring most dramatically and is likely to continue to do so where a large part of the population is 25 years of age and under. Birthrates tend to be higher in Hispanic or Latino, and Native American populations where the median age is lower and cultural values are family oriented. In areas where the population is older and primarily Anglo, birthrates, and consequently natural increases in population tend to be less. Given the high percentage of people of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity and younger people in many cities and core counties in the U. S. portion of the Sonoran Desert (see Table 2 and Table 3), one might expect relatively high birthrates to add to the region's population.

Migration

Migration is fueling not only population and economic growth but also having an impact on the demographic composition and social climate of cities and towns on both sides of the border. There are at least four migration streams affecting the Sonoran Desert region:

• Internal migration from southern Mexico and rural areas to urban centers, especially those cities near the US/Mexico border
• Legal and illegal Migration from Mexico and other Central American countries into the United States
• Internal migration from the Midwestern and eastern U.S. as well as from the Los Angeles/San Diego area of southern California to cities in southern Arizona and Southeastern California
• Migration from the United States to beachside cities in Sonora, Baja California, and Baja California Sur in Mexico

First, real or perceived opportunities for work and an improved life in the burgeoning border cities and maquiladoras in northern Sonora and Baja California are attracting people from rural areas as well as cities further south.

Second, the search for a better life including employment opportunities and, in some instances, in an attempt to escape from deteriorating environmental conditions or repressive social and /or governmental systems are push/pull factors leading to both legal and illegal migration into the United States from Central American countries.

Third, migration into the southwestern U. S. including the Sonoran Desert region increased dramatically with the widespread use of evaporative coolers after WWII. This growth continued with the movement of industries from the rust belt during the 1970's and 1980's and, in the 1990's, with the proliferation of high tech industries in the Phoenix and Tucson areas. Multiple modes of transportation as well as the ability to do business via improved communication systems facilitated the transfer of many industries and companies from the Midwestern and northeastern parts of the U.S. A favorable climate, relatively inexpensive land and lenient tax laws provide a desirable milieu for new businesses. The warm sunny winters, clean air, desert landscape, and recreational opportunities attract seasonal migrants (retirees) and new permanent residents from colder regions in the U.S.

Many of the people moving into the Arizona are attracted by the amenities as well as job opportunities. The desert regions in Southeastern California are attractive for similar reasons, but are also indicative of both "white flight" from Los Angeles and other congested, ethnically diverse California metropolitan areas in search for a "cleaner, safer" environment for retirement years. Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage, and Palm Desert afford prime examples (see Table 4).

And, fourth, increasingly people from the United States are migrating either seasonally or permanently to tourist destinations within the Mexican Sonoran Desert region for the purchase of "beach front property", less expensive homes, and dreams of making their U. S. dollars stretch further.

This in-migration of Norte Americanos into amenity-rich areas in northern Mexico is changing character of both the communities and landscape. Yetman (1996 p.156) describes San Carlos in the state of Sonora.

Thousands of trailer and recreational vehicle spaces now fill the shoreline of San Carlos. Real estate signs are in English. Inland, numerous non-Mexicans have built homes ranging from simple bungalows to opulent castles. Plush homes are stacked on the stark mountainsides. Trailer parks, walled and protected by guard shacks, expand into the desert.

The same characteristics can be seen in other coastal cities such as Puerto Penasco. (Photographs)