December 1998
Although San Diego County’s economy has grown remarkably over the past two decades, not all San Diegans have benefited from this growth. Regional growth and average income are on the rise and unemployment has reached historic lows. But when viewed from the perspectives of many working San Diegans, we get a different picture. Instead of a single prospering economy, it appears that multiple economies – separated by race, ethnicity, gender and level of education – co-exist.
This report examines the tremendous regional economic growth in San Diego County, which doubled since 1980. It was found that San Diego’s workforce is also more educated, diverse and hardworking as more people are investing in education while the city’s majority population comprises of people of color. Despite regional economic growth and a more dedicated workforce, the annual wage and salary of median workers remains flat while the gap between highest and lowest income earners widens.
