Survival Skim: New Census Numbers

One in five working-age adults in San Diego County has no health insurance.

That’s according to new data the U.S. Census Bureau released yesterday, painting a picture of 2008 incomes and economic realities.

Here’s a rundown of some local coverage of the numbers:

• The North County Times led its coverage with the health insurance disparity — it was the first time the Census Bureau measured that statistic.
• The U-T had these highlights and focused on a drop in the immigrant population in San Diego last year.
• The Center on Policy Initiatives, a local think tank focused on working class issues, put together this brief, highlighting that “job loss and wage stagnation lead to lower incomes and more people without health insurance.” CPI added this context in a press release:
  

  Historically, median earnings either increase or, in bad years, stay flat. In 2008, median earnings for San Diego workers actually decreased by 3.51%.

  The annual Census report  released yesterday includes only 2008 data, so the full effects of the recession on working families haven’t been measured.

— KELLY BENNETT