Geographic area

• The region has some of the most COVID impacted communities.

• In a population of 528,000, 54% are non-Hispanic white and 29% are Hispanic

  • The non-Hispanic white population includes a significant number of Middle-Easterners and speakers of more than 30 different languages.

  • The population is changing. In 2020, 46 % of the East Region’s population was under 35 years old. Over the next 10 years, it is projected that the number of individuals under 35 will decrease by 5 %. By 2030, the greatest population change expected will be in the 65 years or older age group, which is projected to increase by 25 %.

• As of April 2022, the median home price in San Diego County is $ 975,000 (up from $ 875,000 in January and from $ 765,000 one year ago), according to the CA Association of Realtors. Since 2000, prices shot up 275 %. The average rent is $ 2,756 for an apartment size of 876 sq ft. (~ one bedroom).

• The East Region has*:

  • 192,321housing units (average household size of 3); more than 60 % rent (El Cajon)

  • 169,000 jobs

  • 245,000 employed residents (employment rate ~ 57%; unemployment 6% (labor force participation 63%)

    • 44.5% have an income below $ 60,000 (overall poverty 19.3% in El Cajon)

    • 68,000 (28%) live and work in the East region

    • 176,000 (72%) live in the East region and work outside of the region

• The East Region has*:

  • 169,000 jobs

    • 68,000 (40%) East region workers live and work in the region

    • 100,000 (59%) work in the East region and live outside of the region

• Education

  • Population 25 years and above

    • 10.9% have less than high school graduation (San Diego region: 12.9%)

    • 22.9% are high school graduates (San Diego region: 17.2%)

    • 35.8% have some college or an associate's degree (San Diego region: 29.2%)

    • 30.5% have a bachelor's degree or higher (San Diego region: 40.7%)

  • Population within the age of 18 to 24 years

    • 13% have less than high school graduation (San Diego region: 7.9%)

    • 34% are high school graduates (San Diego region: 33%)

    • 44.8% have some college or an associate's degree (San Diego region: 47.9%)

    • 8.2% have a bachelor's degree or higher (San Diego region: 11.2%)

• Projected job growth 4% (less than county)

• Occupations

  • Top 10 occupations:

    • Management, business, and financial: 15.9% (San Diego 17.8%)

    • Office and administrative support: 12% (San Diego 10.5%)

    • Sales and related: 10.9% (San Diego 11%)

    • Education, legal, community services: 10.7% (San Diego 11.3%)

    • Computer, engineering, science: 6.4% (San Diego 9.4%)

    • Food preparation and serving related: 5.9% (San Diego 6.9%)

    • Construction and extraction: 5.3% (San Diego 4.5%)

    • Healthcare practitioners and technical: 5% (San Diego 5.9% -- for CNA and LVN 20%))

    • Installation, maintenance, repair: 3.8% (San Diego 2.4%)

    • Transportation: 3.7% (San Diego 2.8%)

* SANDAG Presentation