Census 2010: City Officials Talk Arcadia Growth, Diversity

For the most part, city officials shared similar views on the figures released last week from .

Overall, Arcadia's population is 56,364, an increase of 3,310 residents compared with 2000.

Although that may seem like a substantial difference, city leaders are not worried about overpopulation. 

“We should be concerned about the impact of any growth on our public services, schools, infrastructure, etc.  However, the reported rate of growth is within a reasonable range for a community where many older homeowners, who have already raised their families, are selling to younger homeowners with families,” Mayor Pro Tem Gary Kovacic said in an e-mail to Patch.

According to to the census data, Arcadia’s increase in population was roughly double the average of Los Angeles County, which saw a growth of 3.1 percent for the decade. But Arcadia's growth looks modest when compared to the 10 percent growth that the state saw from April 2000 to April 2010.

“[Arcadia's] growth rate doesn’t concern me at all,” Council Member Bob Harbicht said. “I think there’s a perception that the city is growing by leaps and bounds and the fact is in the last ten years, I can’t remember the number, but [the growth rate} has averaged about half a percent per year.

Assistant City Manager Jason Kruckeberg echoed Harbicht.

"[The growth] was about what we expected. We just did the general plan update--it’s a 25-year document—and we projected about 12 percent [growth] over that 20-year period so that fits pretty well with the 6 percent in this last decade,” Kruckeberg said.

“We have a slow, steady growth that the general plan is set up for,” Kruckeberg added.

Although Arcadia’s growth did not concern Mayor Peter Amundson, it surprised him more than the other officials Patch spoke with.

“We pride ourselves on slow, controlled growth and six percent was high. It was unexpected to me at least.,” the mayor said.

Arcadia's population it not just growing. It also continues to become more diverse.

According to the 2010 Census, the Asian population grew at 38.4 percent over the decade while the White population decreased by 24.8 percent. Arcadia's Latino population also showed significant gains, increasing from 5,629 to 6,799, a 20.8 percent surge.

Arcadia’s leaders embraced the diversity.

“I think Arcadia benefits by having a diverse and energetic population that participates in community affairs,” Kovacic said. "I see more residents, especially children and students, integrating quickly into our community and participating in many school and community programs and events."

Mayor Amundson told Patch that "everyone was welcome in Arcadia."

“Arcadia’s a great place. We have great schools. It’s a safe place to live. I can understand that everyone wants to live here,” the mayor said.

Councilman Harbicht, who moved to Arcadia 36 years ago so his children could go to the city's schools, said the growth of the Asian population was a trend that would likely continue.

“The Asian population that is coming here are coming here for the same reasons the Caucasians came here, the education system and the beautiful community."

Find more Census 2010 data at American FactFinder.