In accordance with a report published on Wednesday, approximately 335,000 San Diego residents, which make up 11% of the county's population, are living in poverty, including 86,000 children. This situation is attributed to the high cost of living and inadequate wages.

 

The report, conducted in collaboration between the San Diego Foundation and the San Diego Regional Policy and Innovation Center, reveals that around 35% of the county's inhabitants struggle to attain incomes that would enable financial self-sufficiency.

 

"San Diego is a beautiful and diverse region, but not all residents experience the same quality of life, and the staggering data revealed in our report confirms this," said Mark Stuart, President and CEO of the San Diego Foundation on their website, sdfoundation.org. "This report helps us better understand the needs of San Diego residents to attract more resources to fair, equitable, and resilient communities."

 

According to the report, a total of 38% of the county's residents spend more than the recommended maximum of 30% of their income on housing.

 

Twice as many Latino residents of San Diego fall below the income threshold needed for self-sufficiency compared to their white counterparts. Even though this group represents 42% of the population aged 18 to 24, only 37% of individuals in this age range have begun their college education.

 

"While this difference is only 5%, it is significant because Latinos make up the largest minority group in San Diego County. The county's poverty rates surpass those of 93% of all other counties in the United States."

 

"San Diego is among the most expensive metropolitan areas in the country, but contrary to popular belief, San Diego's population is not free from economic hardships," stated Daniel Enemark, Chief Economist of the San Diego Regional Policy and Innovation Center. "Inequalities are evident in all areas. Unfortunately, poverty, limited access to higher education, inadequate wages, and lack of homeownership are more common in the county than expected."

 

San Diego has the ninth-largest immigrant population among U.S. counties, with 91,000 of them living in poverty.

 

Additionally, it is projected that the average life expectancy for an African American or Asian resident in San Diego is 75 years, which is five years less than the average life expectancy for a white resident in the same city.