19F - WIA STRATEGIC PLAN 2013-2017

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Jobs for which they qualify often exist more outside Santa Ana than within it, and the fastest growing business sectors often require training that most often takes place outside of Santa Ana, again requiring supplemental support. The Santa Ana youth program focuses on the most aggrieved of this population: those who are poor, homeless, dropped out, runaway, pregnant, pre - maturely parenting, offending or released after incarceration, foster youth, etc. Orange County's population in general has grown 5.4% over the past decade, compared to 5.1/0 for the nation as a whole. That growth has been fueled both by immigration and natural increase in roughly equal measure, though with significant yearly swings. Within that population, those age 14 -19 population has grown 7 %. Racially and ethnically, Orange County is 42% White (compared to 62% for the U.S.), 32% Latino (compared to 18% for the U.S.), 19% Asian American (compared to 5% for the U.S.), and 2% African American,( compared to 11% for the U.S.). The graphic below shows the degree to which the population will evolve over the next 30 -40 years. Because the Latino population is swinging from being fueled by immigration to being fueled by birthrate, youth will be especially impacted. This trend clearly shows the transition of populations in Orange County to Latino dominance over time. It is more startling for Santa Ana. Its population is 78% Latino today, two and a half times greater than Orange County's and approaching five times the U.S. figure. Over four- fifths of the population speak (or also speak) Spanish in the home. This creates a workforce impact felt in few places elsewhere the country. Santa Ana youth demographics exhibit other characteristics that present special challenges. Youth under 18 now represent 30.7% of Santa Ana's population. This is almost a quarter higher than the national average. This is reflected in educational and workforce preparation statistics. The Santa Ana school district has the highest percentage of English learners, 56 %, exactly double for that of Orange County. The Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) is the sixth largest school district in California, and the largest in Orange County. The student population at SAUSD is 95.40% Hispanic. Approximately 82% of SAUSD students are English learners. Spanish, Vietnamese and Khmer are the most common languages spoken at home. Approximately 87/0 of SAUSD students participate in free or reduced -price meal programs. 45 19F -53 ...- 8 African American 40 T gp ® Asian American 30 fir. '� m Latino 20 _`- N White I 10 ( irt4 0 t / _ 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 This trend clearly shows the transition of populations in Orange County to Latino dominance over time. It is more startling for Santa Ana. Its population is 78% Latino today, two and a half times greater than Orange County's and approaching five times the U.S. figure. Over four- fifths of the population speak (or also speak) Spanish in the home. This creates a workforce impact felt in few places elsewhere the country. Santa Ana youth demographics exhibit other characteristics that present special challenges. Youth under 18 now represent 30.7% of Santa Ana's population. This is almost a quarter higher than the national average. This is reflected in educational and workforce preparation statistics. The Santa Ana school district has the highest percentage of English learners, 56 %, exactly double for that of Orange County. The Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) is the sixth largest school district in California, and the largest in Orange County. The student population at SAUSD is 95.40% Hispanic. Approximately 82% of SAUSD students are English learners. Spanish, Vietnamese and Khmer are the most common languages spoken at home. Approximately 87/0 of SAUSD students participate in free or reduced -price meal programs. 45 19F -53