State Of The Southern California Region, 2004

The State of the Region 2004 has been published by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG).

2 minute read

February 15, 2005, 1:00 PM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


This 123-page report examines the population, the economy, housing, transportation, the environment, and the quality of life in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura and Imperial counties. Indicators examine employment, income, poverty, taxable sales, international trade, housing construction, housing affordability, highway use and congestion, air quality, education, public safety and more. The data is presented in easy-to-read charts and tables.

Selected Findings:

  • Los Angeles County lost 47,400 payroll jobs in 2001-2 and 36,500 jobs in 2002-3 and was 140,000 jobs below the 1990 level. The other five counties gained jobs during the same period.
  • In 2003 the poverty rate for the 6 county region was close to 15%, highest among the nine largest metropolitan areas in the county.
  • The share of households that could afford a median priced home dropped in all counties with Los Angeles experiencing a decrease from 31% to 26% between 2002 and 2003.
  • Among the 8 million renters in the region, about 53% spent 30% or more of their income on rent.
  • High school dropout rates were highest in Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties and lowest in Ventura and Imperial Counties.
  • Between 1990 and 2003, violent crime decreased in all surveyed counties.
  • The SCAG region had the lowest per-capita income among the 17 largest metropolitan areas in the United States.

    [Editor's note: Special thanks to Institute for the Study of Homelessness and Poverty at the Weingart Center for this summary of the report. Please note that the link below is to a 1MB PDF document.]

    Thanks to Institute for the Study of Homelessness and Poverty Listserv

  • Saturday, February 12, 2005 in Southern California Association of Governments

    portrait of professional woman

    I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

    I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

    Mary G., Urban Planner

    Get top-rated, practical training

    Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

    Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

    The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

    July 2, 2025 - Mother Jones

    Close-up of park ranger in green jacket and khaki hat looking out at Bryce Canyon National Park red rock formations.

    National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions

    Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

    February 18, 2025 - National Parks Traveler

    Paved walking path next to canal in The Woodlands, Texas with office buildings in background.

    Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50

    A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

    February 19, 2025 - Greg Flisram

    Screenshot of shade map of Buffalo, New York with legend.

    Test News Post 1

    This is a summary

    0 seconds ago - 2TheAdvocate.com

    Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

    Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

    The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

    18 minutes ago - Mother Jones

    test alt text

    Test News Headline 46

    Test for the image on the front page.

    March 5 - Cleantech blog