What's Driving Children Out Of San Francisco?

It's been well documented that San Francisco has few households with children, and locals know that schools are closing because of declining enrollment. Yet pre-schoolers are on the rise -- why are families leaving the city before kindergarten?

1 minute read

June 2, 2006, 5:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid

"Between 2000 and 2004, there was a steady rise in the proportion of city residents who were younger than 5, U.S. census data show. Yet these mini-baby boomers are not showing up in kindergarten; instead, school enrollment is slipping, and the city's school-age population is sliding. Families are leaving the city when their children reach school age. What's driving them away?

It's the housing prices. It's the desire for a backyard. San Francisco's real estate market, where suburban-size houses with backyards are uncommon and extremely expensive, is the reason most parents give for moving away. They are drawn to Bay Area suburbs within commute range, or they leave the region entirely.

Only an estimated 12 percent of San Francisco households earn enough to buy a median-price home, which costs more than $760,000, according to the California Association of Realtors and DataQuick Information Systems.

Some of the families leaving could well afford San Francisco prices, said Dona Crowder, recent past president of the San Francisco Association of Realtors. But these buyers are dissatisfied with city schools and say they can't afford a house and private school."

FULL STORY: Lots of toddlers, fewer school-age kids in S.F.

Tuesday, May 30, 2006 in The San Francisco Chronicle

Housing Social / Demographics California

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

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.