This article was written by BenitoLink Intern Camille Mattish. Lea este articulo en español aquí.
Among the findings of an Uplift Central Coast Coalition report is that San Benito County’s population-to-job ratio is significantly larger than surrounding counties. The statistic includes minors and those of retirement age.
The report also analyzes wages and income in San Benito County, and identifies ways to create more quality jobs, which it defines as an annual salary of approximately $75,000. The report states this salary would enable residents to afford basic needs.
The regional report, which was released Feb. 8, indicates there are 3.83 residents for every job in the county, based on a population of 69,000 and 18,000 jobs. According to the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) by the county’s Economic Development Corporation, the county’s workforce is 27,200, which amounts to a 1.51:1 workforce-to-job ratio.
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Population versus jobs. Data from Uplift Central Coast.Population-to-job ratios for the other counties in the Central Coast Coalition, which includes all residents, are follows:
- Monterey: 2.09:1
- San Luis Obispo: 2.27:1
- Santa Barbara: 1.94:1
- Santa Cruz: 2.44:1
- Ventura: 2.43:1
The report says that the varying ratios “typically reflects socioeconomic trends such as larger numbers of residents commuting outside the county for work or significant presence of retirees.”
According to the CEDS, 61% of San Benito County’s workforce commutes to jobs outside of the county.
According to its website, Uplift is “a coalition powered by Central Coast residents working toward a shared vision of a diverse, inclusive economy built by and for the region’s residents.”
According to the Uplift report, San Benito County’s average annual earnings of $71,000 are on par with the other Central Coast counties.
Among the challenges Uplift identifies for San Benito County are creating or retaining local economic activity instead of having residents commute out of the county. It also states that leaders have been focused on retaining growing companies that might leave for larger markets.
But counties such as San Benito, according to the report, have an advantage because of their proximity to the Bay Area and available land to attract production, testing and demonstration projects.
According to the CEDS, the county has added 1,080 jobs between 2015 and 2021, signifying a 1.1% annual growth rate in that period while the state’s growth average was 0.7%.
Though the number of jobs in the region has increased, Uplift found that at least 45% of Central Coast families receive an income that does not cover even their basic needs.
The Uplift report includes graphs showing the population and jobs figures and average earnings of Central Coast counties.
It also shows that between 2010 and 2020, San Benito County’s population grew 16.18%, from 55,269 to 64,209.
Other Central Coast counties’ population increases, shown below, were under 6%:
- Santa Cruz: 3.23%
- Monterey: 5.78%
- San Luis Obispo: 4.74%
- Santa Barbara: 5.74%
- Ventura: 2.49%
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