New business is up, crime rates are down and housing prices are more affordable – that’s the good news. On the negative side, or what the Sonoma County Economic Development Board labels “concerning trends,” are unemployment, a lagging tourism industry and adult obesity.
Those are among the conclusions of the 2010 Sonoma County Indicators Report. The annual report measures regional progress, and benchmarks performance to similar counties in California
“Over the past decade, Sonoma County has witnessed growth in many industries paying higher than average wages,” said Ben Stone, SCEDB executive director. “As employment growth resumes, it will be important to continue to attract such jobs.”
Offering highlights and challenges from the 56-page report, Stone said, “Sonoma County is doing an uneven job preparing local children for economic opportunities.” But while more Sonoma County residents have health insurance relative to other counties and the nation, “rising trends in obesity are concerning,” he said.
Among the report’s “Positive Trends for Sonoma County:”
New Business. Between 2007 and 2008, the number of businesses grew by five percentage points.
Housing Affordability. Between mid-2008 and mid-2009, the percentage of residents who were able to afford a median-priced home nearly doubled.
Crime Rates. Over the past five years, property and violent crime rates have fallen by 31 percent and 11 percent, respectively.
College Educational. The percentage residents over the age of 25 with college degrees has risen over the past five years.
Water Conservation. The total amount of water conserved in the county has increased more than 50% since 2003, a positive step towards reaching a sustainable balance between supply and demand.
Waste Diversion/Recycling. Waste diversion has increased by 70% over the past decade, and 65% of waste is now being recycled. “We are leading the way in many environmental metrics,” Stone said.
Voter Participation. Over the past decade, voter turnouts in Sonoma County have been gradually increasing, hitting ten-year high in November 2008.
High-Wage Job Clusters. Over the past decade, most of Sonoma County’s fastest growing occupational clusters pay above average wages.
Listed among the report’s “Concerning Trends:”
Unemployment. Unemployment in the county rose sharply in 2009, including a 4% increase between Januay and October.
Job Growth. Job growth between October 2008 and October 2009 dropped by 4.8% in Sonoma County, equating to a net loss of 8,800 jobs.
Educational Achievement Gap. English language proficiency, high school graduation rates, and college-going rates all reflect educational achievement gaps among many of Sonoma County’s ethnic groups.
Adult Obesity. Over the past five years, the percentage of adults in the county who are overweight or obese increased 5%. More than 60% of Sonoma County adults are now overweight or obese.
Poverty Rate. The number of residents living below the poverty line increased by two percentage points between 2007 and 2008.
Hotel Occupancy Rates. The County’s October 2009 year-to-date occupancy rate decreased by 10% compared to the prior period.
The report included a third category, areas in which there was “No Clear Trend:”
Agricultural Production In 2008, the gross production value of all agricultural crops in Sonoma County declined 7.1% from its record high in 2007. However, over the past decade, values have been growing steadily.
Health Insurance Coverage. The percentage of all Sonoma County residents with healthcare insurance may have fallen between 2007 and 2008. However, the percentage of low-income households with insurance appears to be rising.
Per Capita & Household Incomes. Median household income in Sonoma County rose nearly 10% between 2002 and 2007, but declined slightly between 2007 and 2008. As a percentage of the national average, per capita income has remained steady.
Visitor Spending. Between 2005 and 2007, the amount of money visitors spent while touring Sonoma County increased nearly 15%. It is unclear how the recent recession affected the amount of money spent by visitors over the past two years.
In an overview of the report, Stone said, “Perhaps more than any previous report, this year’s indicators foretell of the work needed to ensure we continue to advance our quality of life here in Sonoma County.”
The full 2010 Sonoma County Indicators Report is available online at www.sonomaedb.org
