Contra Costa Economic Partnership

Study shows dynamic economy, growth for Contra Costa

Ten “themes of change” and some fairly positive demographic and economic trend data have emerged from a special report on Performance Index 2003. The report, titled “The Changing Face of Contra Costa County,” was presented to the business community on April 24 in Pleasant Hill. The Contra Costa Economic Partnership hosted the session and expressed appreciation to the Index 2003 sponsors, which included the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County, the City of Concord, Contra Costa Child Care Council, Greater Bay Bank, John Muir/Mt. Diablo Health System and Kaiser Permanente. Presenters included Alex Mehran, Chairman of the Contra Costa Economic Partnership, and Don Olmstead, Principal, Pajaro Designs, and Market Research Manager, Contra Costa Newspapers. Some key findings of the study follow. Demographic trends Population: The number of residents in the county has almost doubled during the past three decades, growing at an average annual rate of 2.5 percent, and is projected to increase by more than 25 percent over the next 20 years. East county is expected to grow fastest, challenging central county for dominance. South county should see significant growth as Dougherty Valley is built out. East and south county together will account for almost 63 percent of the new households over the next two decades. Aging residents: About 25 percent of the county’s population is between the ages of 45 and 64. While senior citizens will be the fastest growing population segment, a large segment under age 18 will inhabit the newer, fast-growing areas in south and east county. Greater diversity: The population has become more diverse. More than 35 percent of today's residents are non-Caucasian, compared to less than 20 percent two decades ago. Hispanics are the largest ethnic group, followed by Asians, then African-Americans. Economic trends Employment: The number of new jobs has grown at an average annual rate of 1.9 percent since the early l990s. Contra Costa is expected to outpace the Bay Area in its job-growth rate over the next two decades; only Solano, Sonoma and Napa counties will grow faster. Existing and emerging industries: Our economic base is concentrated in relatively few industries and employment sectors. Eight industry sectors retail trade, government, petrochemicals, business services, telecommunications, healthcare, construction, and engineering and management account for more than two-thirds of all jobs.

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