In
2004, there were approximately 17,354 full-time residents
in Big Bear (up from 16,700 in 2000) and approximately 7,112
total households (up from 6,861 in 2000). Approximately 60%
of the population is considered Rural Resort Dwellers and
are defined by ESRI Business Information Systems to be residents
that follow the scenic route, prefer pastoral settings, drive
four-wheel drive trucks, bake and prepare home-cooked meals,
participate in local civic issues, and like to read about
fishing, hunting and home improvement.
The
average household size in 2004 was 2.44 persons and the
median household
income was $40,276, up from $35,765 in 2000.
Per capital income also increased to $23,469 in 2004,
from $20,280 in 2000.
Big
Bear is a resort community and as a result the majority
of housing in Big Bear is owned
as a second home. Of
the total 20,352 housing units, approximately
65.1% are vacant (second homes), 25.2% are owner occupied, and 9.7% are
renter occupied. The median home value was $207,425 in
2004 with an average value
of $262,416, compared to $134,947 and 171,289 in 2000,
respectively.
Future population and economic growth is expected to
outpace that of the past based upon the forecasted
growth for the Inland Empire (both San Bernardino
and
Riverside Counties). The Inland Empire remains one of the fastest growing
regions in the nation. Out of the 3,100 counties in the nation, Riverside
ranked 3rd
and San Bernardino ranked 6th in terms of absolute population growth between
2001 and 2002.
Travel
(hotel and amusement) and retail are by far the largest
business segments in Big Bear, accounting for 29.8% and
28.0% of Big Bear's 2000 employment,
respectively. Combined, these two segments account for 58% of Big Bear's
2000 employment. These segments also experienced the largest employment
gains from 1991-2000, indicating the fastest growing segments. The travel
segment
gained 560 employees during the 10-year period, with retail gaining 373.
The next largest
growth occurred in the finance/real estate segments with a gain of 128.
Approximately 64% of all job growth from 1991-2000 occurred in the travel
and retail segments. |
