Moving To Lake Havasu? Here are a few things you need to know!
Lake Havasu City (better known as Lake Havasu) is located in Mohave County, Arizona. While many consider the area to be a retirement community made up of "snowbirds" (people who travel to warm climates to escape cold winters,) there is actually a thriving community that encompasses all ages and demographics. The majority of the population is white, with the following percentages being represented in the residents of Lake Havasu. 84% White, 1% Black, 1% Asian and 0% Native American or Native Hawaiian. 2% identify as another race or ethnicity, or two or more races. 12% of residents are of Hispanic or Latino origin.
The Lake Havasu community is generally comprised of middle class people, although in recent years there has been more of an influx of wealthier retirees and families, reflected in more expensive homes being built that would cater to this demographic. The median income is $42,718 and the median home value is $194,800, although those numbers ave been steadily increasing over the past few years.
The population of Lake Havasu increases significantly in late March each year as spring breakers from both Arizona and other states come to the city to spend their vacation. While the overall tone of the areas around the Channel and nearby hotels becomes more "party atmosphere" at these times, the influx of tourism dollars that is spent by spring breakers each year is vital to our economy and generally welcomed by the local population of merchants.
The main tourist attractions in Lake Havasu are The London Bridge which spans the mainland and the island and provides a connection between the two. This iconic structure which used to be located in London England was brought to the area as a way to attract tourists to the small community that was designed by Robert P. McCulloch in 1964. The bridge itself was dismantled in 1967 and reassembled in Lake Havasu, the project finally being completed in 1971. Just past the bridge is the Bridgewater Channel, a narrow area of the river that allows for boat parking on both sides. This proximity creates the ability to interact not only with neighbors to the left and right, but across the Channel as well. Any Saturday or Sunday when weather is nice will generally see many boats on both sides, with people relaxing, playing music, paddle boarding, jet skiing, swimming and enjoying the day. The Bridgewater Channel is a "no wake zone" meaning that as boats pass through they must maintain a speed slow enough to produce no wake or waves.
The Lake Havasu community grows during snowbird season between late December and March, when retirees from colder climates and those with second homes come to the area to spend the winter. While some of these "snowbird residences" are rented out during the rest of the year, many remain vacant during the rest of the year. A large portion of the Lake Havasu community is made up of people who return to the area during these same times each and every year. While many are part-time residents, there are also a significant number of people who make Lake Havasu their full time home. As the community has grown in population over the years, so has the need for workers in industries that provide goods and services to the community. While the tone of the community is "relaxation and retirement," many residents make their livings providing the services that others want and need. The city has grown over the years, but purposely maintains a "small town" ideal that suits the residents and tourists alike.