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Orange RPU PY 2025-2028 Regional Plan <br />8 | Page <br /> <br />Accounting for 24.4% of the population, followed by Asian and Pacific Islander languages <br />at 16.1% and other Indo-European languages at 5.1%. A smaller percentage (1.4%) <br />speaks different languages14. These figures highlight the critical need for vocational <br />English as a Second Language (ESL) programs to address language barriers, ensure <br />educational success, and foster economic inclusion. <br /> <br />Gender demographics are balanced, with a slight majority of females (50.54%) projected <br />in 2030. However, male and female populations are expected to decrease by <br />approximately 3%, emphasizing the importance of addressing labor market participation <br />across all groups15. As demographic shifts reshape the labor market, inclusive workforce <br />strategies become increasingly essential to meet the needs of a diverse and linguistically <br />complex population. Addressing disparities, fostering equitable opportunities for <br />underrepresented groups, and investing in education, training, and retention strategies <br />will be vital to sustaining economic growth and competitiveness in the region. <br /> <br />Overall Industry Employment Trends <br /> <br />Orange County’s labor market continues to expand, with total nonfarm employment <br />reaching 1.72 million by November 2024, reflecting a year-over-year gain of 14,600 jobs <br />(0.9%)16. Healthcare and social assistance have led this growth, adding 11,900 jobs year <br />over year, driven by the rising demand for health services. Other expanding industries <br />included professional and business services, which added 3,300 jobs year over year, and <br />leisure and hospitality, which gained 2,800 jobs during the same period. <br /> <br />Trade, transportation, and utilities also experienced growth, adding 3,200 jobs year over <br />year, with the retail trade sector accounting for a significant portion of this increase. <br />Government employment rose modestly, gaining 1,200 jobs year over year, while smaller <br />increases were observed in other services and manufacturing, which added 400 and 500 <br />jobs, respectively17. <br /> <br />Despite these gains, specific industries experienced year-over-year declines. <br />Construction faced the steepest losses, shedding 2,600 jobs compared to November <br />2023, while manufacturing also reported a decline of 2,600 jobs over the same period. <br />The information sector saw a decrease of 900 jobs year-over-year, reflecting ongoing <br />challenges faced by industries heavily influenced by economic shifts, automation, and <br />fluctuating demand18. Retail and administrative services also continued to adjust to long- <br />term disruptions caused by automation and e-commerce, leading to slower job growth or <br />reductions in these areas. These trends emphasize the need for targeted workforce <br />strategies to support vulnerable industries while fostering growth in robust sectors. <br /> <br /> <br />14 U.S. Census Bureau. Orange County, California Profile. Accessed January 2025. https://data.census.gov/profile/Orange_County,_California?g=050XX00US06059. <br />15 Lightcast. Populations Demographic Report. <br />16 California Employment Development Department. Monthly Labor Force Data for Orange County. Accessed January 2025. <br />https://labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/file/lfmonth/oran$pds.pdf. <br />17 California Employment Development Department, Monthly Labor Force Data for Orange County. <br />18 California Employment Development Department, Monthly Labor Force Data for Orange County. <br />EXHIBIT 1