Sonoma County Indicators Economy, Environment, Health, Society, Tourism, Workforce A B R I D G E D E D I T I O N

Transcription

1 County Indicators Economy, Environment, Health, Society, Tourism, Workforce 2013 A B R I D G E D E D I T I O N

2 Table of Contents 1 Executive Summary 2 Trends 4 How Competitive is County? Economy 6 Unemployment Median Home Prices Median Household Income Poverty 7 Cluster Employment Job Growth Business Establishment Growth Business Establishments per 10,000 Residents Environment 8 Air Quality Water Use Waste Disposal Open Space Acreage Health 9 Uninsured Causes of Death Types of Health Insurance Coverage Youth Alcohol Use Society 10 Age Distribution by Ethnicity High School Exit Exam Scores Crime Rates Educational Attainment Workforce 11 Industry Employment Ages 55+ Population Growth & Demographic Change Industry Growth, Concentration, and Wages Tourism 12 Hotel Occupancy Rates Tourism-Related Taxes Visitor Spending 13 Methodology & Sources

3 Executive Summary The County Economic Development Board (EDB) is pleased to present the 2013 County Indicators Abridged Edition. The indicators chosen for this year s report focus on the connections between our economy and community, measuring our progress, and benchmarking our performance to similar counties in. In an effort to provide the most current and comprehensive annual data in this year s report, the scope of this preliminary version has been narrowed. The full report will be made available online at in the spring of The report features a competitiveness index section intended to measure regional competitiveness not only by economic elements but through the region s quality of life and how the region supports innovation. The Quality of Place Index and Innovative Environment Index were created to measure these types of competitiveness. Some highlights and challenges in this report include: County is a competitive place to do business both because of an attractive business climate and the high quality of life shown thorough the high scores on the Innovative Environment Index and the Quality of Place Index. The seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate for County was 7.6% in October 2012, a three-year low and below the state wide average. Job growth in County was over three times as fast as the nation from November 2011 to November County has the second-highest number of business establishments per capita among comparable counties, along with one of the highest business establishment growth rates. This is indicative of a high level of economic activity and a healthy business environment. Tourism indicators are overwhelmingly positive. Revenue from the transient occupancy tax (TOT) started increasing in the first quarter of 2010, and has continued to do so into Q First quarter TOT revenue has increased 7.9% year-over-year, and is nearing its pre-recession level. At the same time, hotel occupancy rates have increased 6.5%. The EDB encourages readers to delve further into these issues by contacting the agencies and organizations listed throughout this report, and by visiting the EDB s website,. This annual assessment of our region s economic progress is meant to help guide discussions by local business, government, community and workforce leaders regarding strategies for shaping our region s economic future. The Economic Development Board is committed to working with our partners to take the actions necessary to build on our strengths and to address our deficiencies to improve economic opportunities and quality of life for all County residents. Pamela Chanter Chair Economic Development Board Ben Stone Executive Director Economic Development Board Board of Directors Pamela Chanter, Chair Joe Orlando, Vice Chair Libby Harvey FitzGerald Mark Inman Linda Kachiu Peter O Brien Melanie Bagby Michael Tomasini Marcos Suarez John Webley 1

4 Trends What is a trend? Trends state changes in data over time. They are a simple way to identify changes in community indicators, based on one, five or ten-year periods of observation. In this section there are trend summaries for County, offering a snapshot of information and measurements of recent economic and community performance. Performances are categorized as positive, concerning, or unclear trends. The purpose of trends is to identify those areas where County is succeeding, and just as importantly, those where it faces challenges. Positive Trends Economy Employment Over the past year County has experienced job growth that is over three times faster than the nation. While unemployment remains high relative to prerecession levels, County has seen a steady decrease in the unemployment rate over the past two years. (See page 6) Business Growth County has the second-highest number of business establishments per capita among comparable counties, along with one of the highest business establishment growth rates. This is indicative of a high level of economic activity and a healthy business environment. (Pg. 7) Environment Waste Disposal After a slight increase in 2010, County showed a significant decline in the volume of waste produced by residents during In contrast, the average of waste per person increased during 2011, placing County far below the state level. (Pg. 8) Water Use County has had a strong history of water conservation since 2006 that was interrupted only once in The following year County water usage fell by 2.3 billion gallons, a decrease of 7%. (Pg. 8) Society College Educational Attainment The percentage of County residents over 25 with bachelor s degree has increased 3.1 percentage points from 2010 to 2011 to 32.2% of the population, and the percentage of residents over 25 with an advanced degree has increased by 1 percentage point over the same period to comprise 11.1% of the population. (Pg. 10) Greater Youth Diversity There is more ethnic diversity concentrated at the younger end of the age spectrum in County. With a rapidly growing young Hispanic population and an aging white population, this suggests a higher ethnic diversity in the workforce and society. (Pg. 10) Tourism Transient Occupancy Tax TOT revenue started increasing in the first quarter of 2010, and has continued to do so into Q First quarter revenue increased 7.9% year-over-year, and is nearing its pre-recession level. At the same time, hotel occupancy rates have increased 6.5%. (Pg. 12) 2

5 Trends Concerning Trends Workforce Employment of Workers 55+ Every industry showed an increase in total employees age 55+, and also in the percentage of the industry employment age 55+. The proportion of workers nearing retirement age in the educational services industry increased by 12 percentage points from 2010 to 2011, with nearly five times the number of educational employees age 55+ as in (Pg. 11) Society Education Achievement Gap While County performs well compared to the state average and other counties, English language proficiency and high school graduation rates reflect educational achievement gaps between different ethnic groups in County. (Pg. 10) Health Insurance Rates The proportion of individuals covered by health insurance in County dropped 1.4 percentage points from 2009 to 2010, equating to about 6,800 fewer covered individuals, and moving the county below the state average. These percentages, along with County s rank relative to the state, remain unchanged in (Pg. 9) Unclear Trends Economy Percent Below the Poverty Line The percentage of County residents living below the national poverty line fell nearly one percentage point from 2010 to 2011, but remains higher than in Due to the high cost of living in County, an adjusted poverty rate may be higher. (Pg. 6) Median Home Prices The median sales price of an existing home in County is at a three-year high, but the recovery of median home prices in County has been volatile. Home prices remain low relative to their pre-recession highs, and this bodes well new home buyers. (Pg. 6) Health Cause of Death Compared to the national average, County has a much lower rate of coronary heart disease, but a much higher rate of cancer. At the national level, coronary heart disease accounts for about 25% of all deaths, and is the leading cause of death; in County deaths due to coronary heart disease are less common at just over 15%, making it the second leading cause of death. (Pg. 9) 3

6 How Competitive is County? Regional competitiveness is the ability of a region to produce goods and services that are successful in the global market. When measuring competitiveness, it is not only important to take into account economic elements, but also ways the region supports continuing innovation and productivity and maintains a high standard of living. We have done this by establishing a competitiveness index which measures innovation and quality of place. There are many indicators that can be used in these indexes, the ones selected were chosen because they effectively measure an innovative environment and a high quality of life. Quality of Place Index An area s quality of life is becoming more and more important in an increasingly competitive global economy as a way to attract and retain top talent. This is because highly educated workers have more flexibility in where they choose to live as their special knowledge and skills are in high demand. As such, an area s lifestyle attributes are crucial to its long-term economic success. Average County (Avg.) San Luis 110 County Overall: We examine six measures indicative of quality of place in order to establish how competitive County is relative to comparable counties. County s above-average ranking is due primarily to good air quality, high access to health care, and high per capita income. These individual measures are summarized below. The Indicators: Air Quality: A weighted average of days with air quality measured as good or moderate by the Environmental Protection Agency. County tied for third with County with a score of 111. Crime Rate: The crime rate measures the number of both violent and property crimes committed per 100,000 people. County ranked fifth among comparable counties with a score of 157, indicating that crime rates in County were 57% below the state average. Commute Time: The commute time measures the average time spent commuting by county residents. County ranked seventh among comparable counties with a score of 104. However, the average commute time was 4% below the average commute time. Access to Health Care: Number of health care practitioners and technical occupations (NAICS 62) per capita population provides a measure of access to health care professionals. County ranked third among comparable counties for access to health care with a score of 111. Culture and Recreation: Employment in the arts, entertainment and recreation (NAICS 71) per capita provides a measure of an area s cultural and recreational opportunities. County ranked third among comparable counties for culture and recreation with a score of 104. Per Capita Income: Earnings per person, provides a measure of standard of living and economic vitality. County ranks fourth among comparable counties with an income per capita index score of 108. Sources: Environmental Protection Agency ( Federal Bureau of Investigation ( U.S. Census Bureau ( Bureau of Labor Statistics ( U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Census Bureau 2010 American Community Survey 4

7 How Competitive is County? What is an index? This section examines different indicators of regional economic competitiveness. Each indicator is divided by the value for and multiplied by 100. An adjusted value of 120 means the region is performing 20% above the state average, and an adjusted value of 90 means the region is performing 10% below the state average. Each indicator is weighted equally in the overall index. For more information, see Index Methodology on page 13. Innovative Environment Index An environment of innovation encourages the launch of new businesses, provides growth opportunities for existing businesses, and attracts businesses from outside the area. It is important because a strong innovative environment leads to business growth in the region. This index examines six measures indicative of an innovative environment in order to establish how competitive County is relative to comparable counties. County Average San Luis S onoma County (Avg.) Overall: County s above the state average ranking is primarily because of the relative low cost of labor, high percent of the population with high school and college degrees, and the dense concentration of small to mid-size businesses. The Indicators: Labor Cost: Labor costs is an important factor in the cost of doing business and is measured by total earnings per employee at the 3-digit NAICS level. County had the third lowest labor costs among comparable counties with a score of 102.7, indicating that labor costs are 2.7% lower than the state average. Employment in Technical Professions: Percentage of employment in computer, science and engineering professions (NAICS 54), which provides a measure of the research and development industry. County ranked third relative to comparable counties with a score of Concentration of Small to Mid-Size Businesses: Number of businesses in an area, presented per 1,000 employees. A growing number of small to mid-size businesses over time correlates to a strong environment for new business creation. For this indicator, small to mid-size businesses are classified as having 250 employees or less. County ranked fourth among comparable counties with a score of 136. Business Churn: The business churn metric is the ratio of business births and deaths to the total number of business establishments. This measure of entrepreneurship captures the cycle of the birth of profitable business, and the closing of struggling business. County ranked fifth with a score of 91. High School Graduates: Percentage of adult population (25+) with a high school diploma or higher. The better educated the regional workforce, the more quickly an economy can take advantage of new opportunities and recover from negative shocks. County ranked first with a score of 102. College Graduates: Percentage of adult population (25+) with a bachelor s degree or higher. Educated residents with specialized skills and knowledge fuel the performance of existing firms and serve to attract new employers. County ranked fourth with a score of 110. Sources: Moody s Analytics ( 2009, Bureau of Labor Statistics ( 2010, Employment Development Department ( Q3 2010, U.S. Census Bureau ( 2010, Postsecondary Education Commission (

8 Economy Economy indicators include employment levels, median home prices, income and poverty measures. In addition to representing the type and level of economic activity in the county; economic indicators illustrate strengths, challenges, and changes within County and compared to relative counties Unemployment Rate Seasonally Unadjusted, October 2012 Unemployment Rate The unemployment rate measures the percentage of individuals who are not working but are able, available, and actively seeking work, relative to the entire workforce. The seasonally unadjusted employment rate in October 2012 was 7.6% for County which is lower than the state average (9.8%), and around the median for comparable counties. Median Home Prices Median sales prices reflect the selling price of a middle priced single family home in County. While home prices have decreased significantly from their peak in 2006, prices appear to be stabilizing toward the second quarter of The decline in median housing prices has dramatically improved housing affordability. Median Household Income Median household income measures the level of each county s middle earning households. From 2010 to 2011, the median household income in County rose 3.2% from $59,055 to $61,020. County s median household income not only places higher than in absolute terms, but also grew three times faster over this period. Poverty The poverty line is the minimum level of income deemed necessary to have an adequate standard of living in a given region. The 2012 national poverty level for a family of four is $23,050. The population of County living below the poverty line decreased 0.9 percentage points from 2010 to Just over 12% of County residents live below the poverty line, more than 3 points lower than the state and nation. Thousands of dollars $800 $700 $600 $500 $400 $300 San Luis United States 7.6% Source: Employment Development Department ( Median Sales Price of an Existing Home* County, August 2012 $200 ' 02 ' 03 ' 04 ' 05 ' 06 ' 07 ' 08 ' 09 ' 10 ' 11 '12 Note: *Single Family Detached Homes Source: Association of Realtors ( County 20% Percent Below Poverty Line, 2010 & $100 $90 Median Household Income, 2010 & % 10% 5% Thousands of dollars $80 $70 $60 $50 $40 0% San Luis U.S. National Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, ( $30 U.S. National San Luis Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, ( 6

9 Industry Employment Two of the hardest hit industries of the recession were manufacturing and construction, reflecting limited capital expenditure and the entire global slowdown. Over the past year, following steady gains in exports and durable orders, the same industries are among the fastest growing. Over the period of , County experienced employment growth in the industries of professional and business services, education and healthcare, and leisure and hospitality. 35,000 30,000 25,000 20,000 15,000 Employment in Selected Industries County, * Economy Job Growth County, along with all comparable counties, had positive job growth from Nov to Nov Nonfarm Payroll Employment, which represents the number of jobs in an area, increased by 4.9% for County, outpacing both and the United States, and helping to close the gap between the countywide and national unemployment rate. Over the next years the county will continue to build momentum through its specialty goods, tourism, and technology industries. Business Establishment Growth Business establishment growth is often considered an indicator of the overall business climate, as it captures both the creation and closure of firms from 2010 to High firm establishment growth is also often correlated with innovation, as startup companies frequently bring new products to market. In accordance with the rebounding economy, business establishment growth increased in all comparable counties. Businesses Establishments per 10,000 Residents The number of business establishments per 10,000 residents is a measure of economic activity that counts the number of locations where business is conducted on a populationadjusted basis. Business establishments per capita is also an indicator to account for economies of agglomeration, the idea that businesses mutually benefit when located near each 10, '02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 July Government & Public Education Retail Trade 12 Educational & Health Services Manufacturing Professional & Business Services Leisure and Hospitality Construction Farm *2012 data is preliminary and updated through July Month Percentage Change 5% 4% 3% 2% 1% 0% 4.9% Job Growth Nov Nov San Luis United States 500 Business Establishments per 10,000 Residents, Q Business Establishment Growth Q Q % San Luis Source All: Employment Development Department ( 0.0 San Luis 7

10 Environment Environmental indicators provide data on energy use, water conservation, and waste production. These indicators gauge relative environmental performance for County. Air Quality Air quality in County was classified to be of good quality for 326 days in 2011, a 5% decline from 2010, with no days categorized as unhealthy for sensitive groups. County set a goal of reducing emissions 25% below 1990 levels by 2015, but the county has seen a decline in air quality since Waste Disposal County continues to perform well with daily waste disposal per person on a downward trend since Although there was a slight increase in waste disposal per capita in 2010 from 3.9lbs to 4lbs, County saw a decline in waste per person once again in 2011 to 3.7lbs. Over the same period, the state of, in contrast, increased the volume of waste production per capita. Total Water Use Water usage has declined since its peak in A noteable year was 2009, during which conservation efforts, a cool summer and the weak economy all contributed to reduced demand. While County was unable to maintain this reduction in 2010, the county returned to its downward trend in 2011 with a 7% decrease in total water usage at 45.5 billion gallons. Protected Lands Protected lands in County have increased at a greater percentage over the past decade than in any of the other eight Bay Area counties. As of 2011, County has protected 173,972 acres, a 38 percent increase from These lands were selected for preservation in order to provide public recreation, protect natural resources and ecosystems, maintain water supplies, interpret historic sites and preserve County's world-renown landscape. Protected lands offer significant benefits to the local economy through tourism, agriculture, outdoor recreation and other land-based services. In addition, parks, open space and protected properties are a major contributor to the county's quality of life and a key factor in economic development campaigns, public health indicators and other business outreach. Year Protected Lands County Protected Acres Days Pounds per Person per Day Billion Gallons Days with Air Quality Classified as Good Source: Environmental Protection Agency ( Air Quality Index Report Waste Disposal Per Capita, '95 '96 '97 '98 '99 '00 '01 '02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 Source: Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery ( Total Water Use County, County Santa Cruz Santa Barbara San Louis ' , , ,972 Source: Bay Area Open Space Council, Bay Area Protected Lands 2011 Edition '00 '01 '02 '03 Note: Graph data does not include private well water. Source: County Water Agency ( '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 8

11 Health indicators provide information on health care, mortality rates, birth rates and obesity in County. These statistics offer a glimpse into the health and wellness of the county, particularly in comparison to. People Without Health Insurance County has a lower percentage of uninsured individuals than and the United States. In 2010, 85.7% of individuals living in the County were insured, and 14.3% were uninsured. Within the group of counties compared on the graph, County ranks 3rd lowest in number of uninsured individuals, after County and County. 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% People Without Health Insurance, 2011 Health Leading Causes of Death Leading causes of death are the most common causes of mortality ranked by frequency of occurrence. In 2009, cancer, heart disease, stroke, and chronic lower respiratory disease accounted for over 50% of all deaths in County. County has higher mortality rates in cancer and strokes than. Types of Health Insurance Coverage This indicator measures the percentage of individuals who have private and/or public health insurance. The majority of individuals in County (68.7%) have private health insurance while 28.4% have public health insurance. Youth Alcohol Use In County, 79% of 7th grade, 52% of 9th grade and 30% of 11th grade youth have never consumed an alcoholic beverage. By 7th grade the percentage of youth that have used alcohol one time is 8%, the rate for 9th graders is 10%, and 6% for 11th graders. While the rate of alcohol use among 7th graders remains steady at 7% with a frequency of 4 or more times, the percentage of 9th (25%) and 11th (52%) graders using alcohol at the same frequency (4 or more times) represents a trend of increasing usage. 0% United States Source: 2011 American Community Survey ( Causes of Death San Luis Leading Causes of Death County, 2009 Chronic Liver Disease and Cirrhosis Drug-Induced Deaths Diabetes Influenza/Pneumonia Alzheimer s Disease Accidents (Unintentional Injury) Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease Cerebrovascular Disease (Stroke) Coronary Heart Disease Cancer 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% Source: Department of Public Health ( Youth Alcohol Use in County, % 7th Grade 70% 9th Grade 11th Grade 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 0 times 1 time 2 or 3 times 4 or more times Source: Healthy Kids Survey, % 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Types of Health Insurance Coverage in County, 2011* With Private Health Insurance With Public Health Insurance *Individuals may have both private and public health insurance Source: 2011 American Community Survey ( No Health Insurance Coverage 9

12 Society Society indicators include education levels, demographic trends and crime rates. These indicators illustrate relative performance in quality of education, safety and demographic trends. 100% Age Distribution by Ethnicity County, 2011* Age Distribution by Ethnicity Age distribution by ethnicity depicts the shifting demographic composition of County. The data reflects the county s rapidly growing young Hispanic population as well as the aging white population. High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) Pass Rates by Ethnicity Each year, sophomores at public high schools are required to take the CAHSEE, which measures English/ Language Arts and math ability. Students must pass this test to graduate from a public institution. The data suggests an achievement gap exists among English Learners. 80% 60% 40% 20% Age Group 65 & Over *Statistical information for some ethnicities is unavailable due to insufficient sample size Source: U.S. Census, American Community Survey ( Other Asian Latino White Crime Rates The crimes rate indicator measures the number of crimes committed per 100,000 people for County and comparable counties. Crimes classified as violent include homicide, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Crimes classified as property include burglary, motor vehicle theft, and larceny, or theft over $400. Among comparable counties, County posts the lowest rate of property crime and places in the middle in the violent crime category CAHSEE Pass Rates by Ethnicity County, School Year English Language Arts Math 83% 75% 78% 78% 86% 85% 92% 93% 94% 92% Educational Attainment by County Educational Attainment indicates the percentage of the population who have earned a high school diploma, bachelor s degree or advanced degree. County ranks favorably, with 32.2% of the population holding at least a bachelor s degree, compared to a state average of only 30.3% % English Learners 53% Black Latino Other Asian White Source: Department of Education ( Education Attainment by County, San Luis 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Advanced Degree Bachelor's Degree High School Graduate Note: High School Degree includes Associates Degree and some college, no degree Source: U.S. Census, American Community Survey ( Crimes Committed per 100,000 residents Crime Rates by County 2010 Property Violent Santa Barbara San Luis Source: Department of Justice ( 10

13 Workforce Workforce indicators provide information on demographic trends, employment concentration and growth in County. These indicators illustrate opportunities and challenges for the county s workforce. Industries with Highest Employment of Workers Ages 55+ Industries with the highest employment of older workers nearing retirement will be most likely to require large quantities of replacement employment in the coming decades. The health care and social assistance industry currently has 6,359 employees nearing retirement age and the largest concentrations of older workers are in the education (36.3%) and real estate (30.3%) industries. Population Growth & Demographic Change Over the next several years, the ethnic composition of County is expected to change dramatically. Notably, the Hispanic population is projected to be 30.8% of the population of County by 2020 and over 50% by Understanding demographic trends in County helps in determining the population s workforce and educational needs. Cluster Employment Growth, Concentration, & Annual Pay The graph measures the relative size of County s largest workforce sectors as well as the 10-year cluster growth rates and average annual pay. The graph demonstrates where employment is concentrated in County and how compensation in those industries compares. With the exception of leisure and hospitality, our growing clusters pay above-average wages, a positive trend that has the potential to increase average pay over time. Number of Employees, Ages Real Estate Highest Employment of Workers Ages 55+, Q Number of Employees, 55+ Transportation & Warehousing Agriculture Other Services Retail Trade % of Industry 55+ Manufacturing Education Health Care & Social Assistance Source: U.S. Census Bureau Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics (lehd.did.census.gov) Projected Percent of Population by Ethnicity County Percent (Est.) (Est.) Change White 57.4% 33.8% % Hispanic 30.8% 50.7% 64.5% Asian 6.3% 9.5% 52.3% Multi-Race 2.3% 2.1% -9.6% Black 1.9% 2.5% 30.7% American Indian 1.2% 1.3% 11.2% Source: Department of Finance ( 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Percent of Industry Employment Ages 55+ County 10-year Employment Growth by Cluster -40% -30% -20% -10% % 30% 40% Employment Growth, Concentration, and Annual Pay by Cluster County, Farming 2011 County Average Annual Pay: $49,046 Leisure & Hospitality Retail Trade Construction Professional & Business Services Education & Health Services Manufacturing Increasing number of jobs, but belowaverage wages Declining number of jobs and belowaverage wages How to read this chart : Increasing number of jobs and aboveaverage wages Declining number of jobs, but aboveaverage wages Size of bubble represents concentration (percentage of total jobs) in major clusters $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $50,000 $60,000 $70,000 Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics ( Employment Development Department ( 11

14 Tourism Tourism indicators measure the economic impact of visitors to County. Visitor spending generates tax revenue and supports the local tourism industry workforce. Key indicators have shown sector growth, with some returning to their pre-recession levels. Hotel Occupancy Rates Hotel occupancy rate is the percentage of rooms used of the total available rooms over a given period of time. County s year-to-date occupancy rate increased 6.5% compared to the same time in 2011, indicating increased travel. 8% 7% 6% 5% 4% 3% Hotel Occupancy Rates Year-To-Date Change Calendar Year * 6.5% Transient Occupancy Tax The Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) is a local tax levied on lodging property room revenues, and is an indicator of the condition and trends of the tourism and lodging industries. TOT revenues have increased to $5.59 million in Q from $5.18 million in Q1 of These figures are seasonally adjusted. Visitor Spending Visitor spending measures the amount of money tourists spend and what they spend it on when they visit County. Total visitor spending increased 4.1% between 2009 and 2010, which is consistent with comparable counties. Distribution of Visitor Spending by Purchased Commodity County, % 1% 0% *Data is updated through June 2012 Source: Smith Travel Research US San Luis Transient Occupancy Tax Revenues County, Q (Millions of Dollars, Seasonally Adjusted) $ % 16.9% 13.8% 19.1% 26.5% Millions of Dollars % Accommodations (16.9%) Arts, Entertainment & Recreation (19.1%) Food & Beverage Services (26.5%) Food Stores (3.49%) Ground Transportation & Motor Fuel (13.8%) Retail Sales (20.3%) Source: Travel Impacts by County, Travel and Tourism Commission, ' 01 ' 02 ' 03 ' 04 ' 05 ' 06 ' 07 ' 08 ' 09 ' 10 ' Source: Transient Occupancy Tax Report, Q Prepared by the County Economic Development Board, August 2012 () Total Direct Travel Spending by County, (Millions of Dollars), Millions of Dollars , , , San Luis Source: Travel Impacts by County, Prepared for the Travel and Tourism Commission by Dean Runyan and Associates, April

15 Methodology, Sources, and Notes Note on Data Sources The 2013 County Indicators provides a comparative study on various economic, demographic, environmental, and social aspects of County. Economic Development Board (EDB) research originates from information available from outside resources and previously published material. The 2013 County Indicators offer partial or composite representations of raw data and cite respective source data sets. For more information, please see the listed sources. The Indicators do not provide complete in depth analyses of all facets of County. The EDB believes all data contained within this report to be accurate and the most current available, but does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Use of data from an outside source does not represent an endorsement of any product or service by the EDB, its members or affiliates. The 2013 County Indicators was developed from national and local data sources. Its content is based on models of similar reports from comparable regions around the country, combined with input from various agencies and organizations within the county. The County EDB appreciates organizations that have pioneered approaches used in the 2013 County Indicators report and is grateful to those who provided feedback. Interested readers are encouraged to contact data source agencies or organizations for further research or visit our website for the unabridged version of Indicators released in Spring Readers are also invited to suggest indicators for future reports by calling (707) or ing edb@sonoma-county.org. Sources Bay Area Real Estate Information Services, Inc. Association of Realtors Department of Education Department of Finance Department of Public Health Department of Health Services Department of Justice Department of Resources Recycling Recovery Employment Development Department Postsecondary Education Commission Travel & Tourism Commission Dean Runyan & Associates Moody s Analytics Smith Travel Research County Agricultural and Open Space District County Economic Development Board County Water Agency UCLA Health Interview Survey United States Bureau of the Census United States Bureau of Labor Statistics United States Environmental Protection Agency Index Methodology An index is an economic tool that is used to make general comparisons across a range of metrics. For the competitiveness indices, each indicator was divided by the average value for and then multiplied by 100. The total index figure was calculated by averaging, with equal weight, each indicator in the index. The metrics were selected after evaluating other indices, namely the 2010 Regional Economic Scorecard produced by the Charleston Regional Development Alliance. The competitive indices, combined with the other indicators, can provide a more comprehensive understanding of trends in County. Indicators Team The 2013 County Indicators was prepared by the Economic Development Board project coordinators. Matthew Liedtke was the project lead, managed and edited the report s overall layout and content. He specifically gathered data and prepared both the Economy section and the Indicator s Competitiveness Indexes. He was responsible for editing the health section, with special assistance provided by Katrina Suprise of County Health Services. Audrey Bendowski was responsible for the research and preparation of the Tourism and Society sections, with acknowledgement to County Tourism and the Travel and Tourism Commission reports published by Smith Travel Research. Alexis Blair gathered data and published both the Workforce and Environment sections, with thanks to the State of Economic Development Department, County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, and County Water Agency. 13

16 With acknowledgement and appreciation to local key businesses supporting County Economic Development: Director Executive A CO U Y SO OM NT N Sponsors C A L IF O R N IA RE PU B L IC Economic Development Board 401 College Avenue, Suite D Santa Rosa, CA (707) A G R I C U LT U R E INDUSTRY R E C R E AT I O N County Health Services County of Board of Supervisors