Equitable Growth.pdf

- Fairfax County's population growth is driven by communities of color.
- The county's racial/ethnic composition has changed significantly from 1980 to 2012, with a notable increase in the population of Black, Latino, Asian American/Pacific Islander, and Middle Eastern individuals.
- The median age varies by race/ethnicity, and there is a racial generation gap, with people of color making up a larger percentage of younger age groups.

Inclusive Growth:
- Economic growth in Fairfax County has created jobs, but the quality and accessibility of these jobs vary.
- Income inequality is a concern, with wide gaps in earnings by industry wage level and race/ethnicity.
- Real earned income has not grown equally for all workers, and the median hourly wage differs significantly by race/ethnicity.

Full Employment:
- The unemployment rate varies by census tract, race/ethnicity, nativity, and educational attainment, indicating disparities in access to employment opportunities.
- Certain groups, such as those with lower educational attainment or from specific racial/ethnic backgrounds, face higher unemployment rates.

Access to Good Jobs:
- Workers with a bachelor's degree or higher have better access to high-opportunity jobs, but this access is not equal across all racial/ethnic groups.
- The median hourly wage by educational attainment and race/ethnicity shows that even with higher education, some groups earn lower wages.

Economic Security:
- Poverty rates and working poor rates are higher among certain racial/ethnic groups and have not decreased significantly over time.
- Child poverty rates also vary by race/ethnicity and nativity, indicating a need for targeted interventions.

Strong Industries and Occupations:
- The county has strong industries and occupations, but the growth projections indicate a need for a skilled workforce to fill future job openings.
- Industry and occupational employment projections from 2012 to 2022 highlight areas where the workforce needs to adapt to meet future demands.

Skilled Workforce:
- There is a gap in the share of the working-age population with an associate's degree or higher by race/ethnicity and nativity, which may impact the ability to fill future job openings.
- The projected share of jobs requiring an associate's degree or higher by 2020 underscores the need for educational and training programs.

Youth Preparedness:
- Not all youth have equal access to opportunities, as indicated by the composite child opportunity index by census tract.
- Disconnected youth (those not in school or work) are a concern, particularly among certain racial/ethnic groups and genders.

Health Access:
- Residents' access to positive health outcomes varies, as shown by the Virginia Health Opportunity Index by census tract.

Connectedness:
- Affordable housing and transportation are challenges, with a significant percentage of rent-burdened households and households without vehicles.
- The means of transportation to work and travel times vary by annual earnings and race/ethnicity, affecting economic opportunities.

Economic Benefits of Equity:
- Estimates suggest that GDP would be higher without racial economic inequities, highlighting the economic benefits of achieving equity.