ARTICLE
Last May we looked at economic and demographic data from the 2013-2017 American Community Survey, for Santa Cruz and Oxnard, and discussed how difficult it is to compare California cities with out-of-state cities due to California’s world-class economy, higher cost of living, and out-migration. These factors are in stark contrast to the rest of the nation and, therefore, may lead people to misconstrue data and draw false conclusions when comparing the two regions. To further our discussion, let’s take a closer look into the Employment Development Department’s (EDD) county employment data for May 2019 so that we may conduct a better comparison between Santa Cruz County, Santa Barbara County, and Ventura County. Because these are similar California coastal cities, examining their similarities and differences will allow us to develop a more accurate understanding of each economy and determine possible ties between them. The data displayed below presents some interesting points. For example, the fastest growing occupation in Santa Barbara County is “Taxi Driver and Chauffeur," whereas in Santa Cruz County, the fastest growing occupation is “Education Administrator.” “Chief Executive” is one of the highest wage occupations for all three counties, however, Ventura County pays significantly higher than the other counties. Why is that? We aim to address this question and other related economic dynamics between Santa Cruz County and Ventura/Santa Barbara Counties at our 2019 Community Leadership Visit (CLV) trip. From September 12th — 14th we’ll be staying at the Embassy Suites at Mandalay Bay. We’ll visit Santa Barbara and Ventura County to gain first-hand insight into the region’s economic drivers, environmental priorities, education, adequate and affordable housing, agriculture and tourism, transportation system improvements, and sustainable water supply. We’ll listen and learn from their public sector and business leaders to better understand the dynamics of their region — beyond the numbers — and learn about their economic activities. What drives each community and what are their passions. The CLV has been a very popular event for our chamber members and our region’s public sector leaders. It is an excellent networking opportunity where partnerships are formed between our public sector leaders and the business community. Registration is open, so click here to reserve one of our limited seats! If you have any questions about the CLV, please contact us at casey.beyer@santacruzchamber.org. Population Data Area Population 2016 Pop Estimate for 2018* Santa Barbara County 446,170 446,527 Santa Cruz County 274,673 274,255 Ventura County 849,738 850,967 *Source: U.S. Census Bureau Unemployment Rate (Not Seasonally Adjusted) for May 2019 Area 2019 Unemployment Rate % Santa Barbara County 2.9 Santa Cruz County 3.9 Ventura County 3.0 National Average* 3.6 *Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupations with Fastest Job Growth (2016 - 2026) for Santa Barbara County Occupation Employment Change (%) Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs 107.1 Telemarketers 55.6 Helpers, Brickmasons, Tile Setters 50.0 Tile and Marble Setters 50.0 Massage Therapists 48.8 Occupations with the Fastest Job Growth (2016 – 2026) for Santa Cruz County Occupation Employment Change (%) Education Administrators, All Other 100.0 Forest, Conservation, and Logging Workers 80.0 Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators 69.2 Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles 66.7 Sewing Machine Operators 66.7 Occupations with the Fastest Job Growth (2016 - 2026) for Ventura County Occupation Employment Change (%) Gaming Services Workers, All Other 75.0 Service Unit Operators, Oil, Gas, and Mining 66.7 Extraction Workers 62.5 Brickmasons and Blockmasons 58.3 Hazardous Materials Removal Workers 57.1 High Wage Occupations for Santa Maria – Santa Barbara MSA for 2019 Occupation Hourly Mean Physicians and Surgeons, All Other $99.46 Pyschiatrists $97.17 Family and General Practitioners $94.32 Chief Executives $90.51 Architectural and Engineering Managers $83.61 High Wage Occupations for Santa Cruz - Watsonville MSA for 2019 Occupation Hourly Mean Pediatricians, General $114.56 Chief Executives $89.82 Family and General Practitioners $85.56 Dentists, General $82.18 Lawyers $77.72 High Wage Occupations for Oxnard – Thousand Oaks - Ventura MSA for 2019 Occupation Hourly Mean Surgeons $114.58 Chief Executives $109.49 Physicians and Surgeons, All Other $101.60 Pediatricians, General $100.72 Podiatrists $91.60 Measures of Income for 2015 Area Per Capita Personal Income - BEA Santa Barbara County $54,428 Santa Cruz County $57,257 Ventura County $54,155 Building Permits for Multi-Family in 2016 Area # Permits Total Costs Santa Barbara County 387 $41,883,889 Santa Cruz County 266 $39,562,226 Ventura County 940 $113,165,170 Building Permits for Single-Family in 2016 Area # Permits Total Costs Santa Barbara County 455 $157,617,694 Santa Cruz County 223 $44,140,403 Ventura County 669 $227,814,033 Median Price of Homes Sold in 2016 Area Property Value Santa Barbara County $700,000 Santa Cruz County $788,250 Ventura County $637,420
Last May we looked at economic and demographic data from the 2013-2017 American Community Survey, for Santa Cruz and Oxnard, and discussed how difficult it is to compare California cities with out-of-state cities due to California’s world-class economy, higher cost of living, and out-migration. These factors are in stark contrast to the rest of the nation and, therefore, may lead people to misconstrue data and draw false conclusions when comparing the two regions. To further our discussion, let’s take a closer look into the Employment Development Department’s (EDD) county employment data for May 2019 so that we may conduct a better comparison between Santa Cruz County, Santa Barbara County, and Ventura County. Because these are similar California coastal cities, examining their similarities and differences will allow us to develop a more accurate understanding of each economy and determine possible ties between them. The data displayed below presents some interesting points. For example, the fastest growing occupation in Santa Barbara County is “Taxi Driver and Chauffeur," whereas in Santa Cruz County, the fastest growing occupation is “Education Administrator.” “Chief Executive” is one of the highest wage occupations for all three counties, however, Ventura County pays significantly higher than the other counties. Why is that? We aim to address this question and other related economic dynamics between Santa Cruz County and Ventura/Santa Barbara Counties at our 2019 Community Leadership Visit (CLV) trip. From September 12th — 14th we’ll be staying at the Embassy Suites at Mandalay Bay. We’ll visit Santa Barbara and Ventura County to gain first-hand insight into the region’s economic drivers, environmental priorities, education, adequate and affordable housing, agriculture and tourism, transportation system improvements, and sustainable water supply. We’ll listen and learn from their public sector and business leaders to better understand the dynamics of their region — beyond the numbers — and learn about their economic activities. What drives each community and what are their passions. The CLV has been a very popular event for our chamber members and our region’s public sector leaders. It is an excellent networking opportunity where partnerships are formed between our public sector leaders and the business community. Registration is open, so click here to reserve one of our limited seats! If you have any questions about the CLV, please contact us at casey.beyer@santacruzchamber.org.
Population Data
Area
Population 2016
Pop Estimate for 2018*
Santa Barbara County
446,170
446,527
Santa Cruz County
274,673
274,255
Ventura County
849,738
850,967
*Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Unemployment Rate (Not Seasonally Adjusted) for May 2019
2019 Unemployment Rate %
2.9
3.9
3.0
National Average*
3.6
*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupations with Fastest Job Growth (2016 - 2026) for Santa Barbara County
Occupation
Employment Change (%)
Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs
107.1
Telemarketers
55.6
Helpers, Brickmasons, Tile Setters
50.0
Tile and Marble Setters
Massage Therapists
48.8
Occupations with the Fastest Job Growth (2016 – 2026) for Santa Cruz County
Education Administrators, All Other
100.0
Forest, Conservation, and Logging Workers
80.0
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
69.2
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles
66.7
Sewing Machine Operators
Occupations with the Fastest Job Growth (2016 - 2026) for Ventura County
Gaming Services Workers, All Other
75.0
Service Unit Operators, Oil, Gas, and Mining
Extraction Workers
62.5
Brickmasons and Blockmasons
58.3
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
57.1
High Wage Occupations for Santa Maria – Santa Barbara MSA for 2019
Hourly Mean
Physicians and Surgeons, All Other
$99.46
Pyschiatrists
$97.17
Family and General Practitioners
$94.32
Chief Executives
$90.51
Architectural and Engineering Managers
$83.61
High Wage Occupations for Santa Cruz - Watsonville MSA for 2019
Pediatricians, General
$114.56
$89.82
$85.56
Dentists, General
$82.18
Lawyers
$77.72
High Wage Occupations for Oxnard – Thousand Oaks - Ventura MSA for 2019
Surgeons
$114.58
$109.49
$101.60
$100.72
Podiatrists
$91.60
Measures of Income for 2015
Per Capita Personal Income - BEA
$54,428
$57,257
$54,155
Building Permits for Multi-Family in 2016
# Permits
Total Costs
387
$41,883,889
266
$39,562,226
940
$113,165,170
Building Permits for Single-Family in 2016
455
$157,617,694
223
$44,140,403
669
$227,814,033
Median Price of Homes Sold in 2016
Property Value
$700,000
$788,250
$637,420