The US Census Bureau counted the number of people without health insurance for the first time in 2008. The results are disheartening for San Diego County.

More than 500, 000 people in San Diego have no health coverage at all, including 1 out of every 5 working-age adults.

“If 20% of working-age San Diegans have no heath insurance, it’s not just those individuals who are suffering– it’s families and children,” said Corinne Wilson, CPI research analyst. “When people who are woefully under-insured are included, the picture is even more dismal. The employer-sponsored health insurance system is failing the people of San Diego. Clearly, we need reform.”

Working-age San Diegans also have reason to complain about their paychecks.

Historically, median earnings either increase or, in bad years, stay flat. In 2008, median earnings for San Diego workers actually decreased by 3.51%.

The annual Census report released yesterday includes only 2008 data, so the full effects of the recession on working families haven’t been measured.