Regional Dashboard
Economic Prosperity - Employment and Wages
photo: Sam Hodgson, Voice of San Diego
What is the measure?
The number of persons employed annually in
San Diego County compared to the working age population.
How are we doing?
San Diego County lost 17,000 jobs in 2010, showing improvement from the 70,000
jobs lost in 2009. The decline in employment in the region from 2009-2010 was
similar to the state average. Preliminary numbers for 2011 showed a slight decline in regional unemployment.
Over the last decade, San Diego has increased the number of jobs in lower paying sectors such as leisure, hospitality and food services, and lost jobs in mid-high paying sectors. This trend is a cause for concern, especially as the 2010 Consumer Price Index shows the cost of living in San Diego continues to outpace that of the nation and several other major West Coast cities, largely due to higher prices for food and housing.
Why is it important?
- Employment is a fundamental determinant of our region’s economic prosperity. An adequate supply of jobs that pay enough to support a stable and secure quality of life ensures our region’s well-being.
- A sustainable economy offers a diversified mix of jobs to community members of all skills and backgrounds.
- Income inequality contributes to a host of social problems, including higher rates of violent crime, property crime, and teen births.
How can we improve?
Policy Options:
- Support economic development strategies that grow the region’s major export sectors by matching buyers with local producers and enhancing training programs for local businesses.
- Invest in public-private partnerships between workforce trainers and employers in high growth, high wage industries such as communications, biotech and health care to advance low-wage, low-skilled workers to higher paying, skilled positions.
- Engage young people in long-term planning for economic development, land use and transportation in order to foster the types of communities that attract them and to help us grow the innovation economy.
- Support
a regional “buy local” campaign that results in more dollars circulating
through the local economy.