Orange County is the fifth largest county in the United States. The county has more residents than there are in 22 states including Nevada, Utah, Iowa and Idaho. So, how is this big state sized county doing? The 2010 Community Indicators Report shows a changing population and a mixed bag for if we are better off now than a few years ago. The report is a compendium of county information which is handy to have if you are making decisions, advocating for decisions, or trying to learn more about your community.
Orange County is becoming less white - 46% of residents identify themselves as non-Hispanic white, 34% are Hispanic and 16% are Asian/Pacific Islander. The white non-Hispanic population is declining while the other groups are trending upward.
Along with this shift in ethnic make up, there is a shift in jobs. In 2009, Forbes magazine ranked Orange County at 107 out of 200 metro areas ranked for business climate. This is a 15 point decline from 2008 (ranked 92) and an 80 point decline from 20045 when the county was ranked at 27. The cost of living is relatively high, even in the recession, making it hard for employers to attract and keep workers. Wages in the higher paid occupations (computers and engineering) are showing declines in recent years. The major growth industry for Orange County is the low wage, no benefits tourism industry. Add to this a decline in the number of technology related undergraduate degrees granted by local universities and you start to see a picture of a changing Orange County.
Other subjects in the report are:
- State and local finances
- Housing and commuting
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