Arizona

Migrant Networks

Arizona has been one of the fastest-growing states in the United States in the 21st century, in some years experiencing the greatest year-to-year population growth of any state. Sources of the increase include the birthrate, as well as an increase in net migration due to the continued influx of immigrants into the United States, and especially migration from other states. Although in recent years anti-immigrant sentiment has increased, or at least become more politically prominent, the number of migrants from within the United States is two to three times greater than that of immigrants. Growth is greatest among the smallest ethnic groups, Asians and African Americans, each of which represented less than 5 percent of the Arizona population in 2005. Non-Hispanic whites represent about three-quarters of the population, Hispanic whites a bit more than a quarter, and Native Americans about 6 percent. The black population, a minority among minorities, has strong social networks in Arizona, often associated [Page 52]with predominantly black churches, which have a long history in the state.

Many of these migrants from other states first encounter Arizona as “snowbirds,” winter tourists fleeing the cold of the north. The state's hospitality industry, seasonal rentals, recreational vehicle and mobile home parks, and Cactus League baseball (in which half of the Major League teams participate during spring training) bring as much as $500 million in business to the Phoenix area every winter, greater than the gains of hosting a Super Bowl. There is even more social activity in Tucson and Yuma, and many of these tourists end up settling down in Arizona permanently, often upon retirement, changing the state's demographics and social networks in a manner similar to those in southern Florida. Networks based on retirement communities or other senior-friendly environments are gaining, as the prominence of deep-rooted family networks is diluted. Social networks among snowbirds and retirees depend on senior-friendly social groups and organized activities in order to develop ties among previous strangers. Many retirement communities and assisted living homes offer a variety of activities to encourage these ties to develop, and nearby businesses like restaurants and movie theaters may designate particular senior-special hours in order to encourage business. In the process, they open up more avenues for forming social ties.

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