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 Since the first release of 2010 Census numbers, it’s become clear that we’re living in a shifting San Diego. Compared to 10 years ago, San Diegans look different, live in different neighborhoods, go to different churches and likely vote differently, too. |
On April 19, we’re hosting the second forum in our “Wonks Unite!” series. Find out how San Diego’s transforming, what it means, and what our region will look like in the future.
What we know so far:
- There are more non-white Hispanics than ever.
- San Diego County’s population is bigger than ever but it had its smallest percent increase ever recorded by a census.
- Blacks are no longer majorities in historically black neighborhoods — there are no black-majority neighborhoods at all — but the power structure in those neighborhoods is still African American.
What we hope to find out:
- How will having more minorities change the political power structure?
- Will more minorities be elected? Will one new group of minorities push other minorities out of office?
- Where are the city’s new centers of power?
- Are we entering a permanent era of slower population growth?
Join us for a fact-filled sprint through the new Census data:
Date: Tuesday, April 19
Time: 8:00-9:30 a.m.
Place: 2508 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego, in Point Loma in the San Diego Foundation building. Map
Cost: Free
Parking: Free and plentiful
RSVPs not needed
Our panelists will include:
- Adrian Florido, neighborhoods reporter for voiceofsandiego.org. Adrian has been writing about the complex racial and ethnic changes in San Diego.
- Keegan Kyle, voiceofsandiego.org’s data journalist. He takes the data and makes sense of it with explanatory charts and graphs.
- Midori Wong, chief of staff of the 2010 Redistricting Commission, which is charged with redrawing voting districts to account for the latest Census numbers.
Some background:
Overall Census Numbers
Census: In San Diego, Slower Growth, More Minorities: The key points you need to know about the Census data.
Census may shift political power in California to minorities and the interior: Traditional coastal strongholds like Los Angeles will lose clout along with the large number of minorities who have moved inland. Non-whites may see more opportunities in the Legislature and Congress as areas are redistricted. (Los Angeles Times)
Last decade of growth in county was slowest ever: San Diego County experienced its slowest growth rate ever between 2000 and 2010 despite gains in the Hispanic and Asian populations, and its number of non-Hispanic white residents dropped below 50 percent for the first time. (Union-Tribune)
People’s Reporter: What the Census Can’t Answer: No information on San Diego’s baby boomers or same-sex couples — yet.
Ethnic and Racial Changes
Feeling a Different Pulse in the Heart of Black San Diego: Southeastern San Diego has been the center of the city’s African-American community for decades, but an influx of Latino residents now means that no neighborhood in the county remains majority black.
For a Hint at Southeastern’s Future, Look West: The black community of the city’s southeastern council district is shrinking, much like it did in Logan Heights to the west.
Maps: Where San Diego County Diversified: White, non-Hispanic residents are no longer the county’s majority. Check out these maps to see which neighborhoods became more diverse.
Survival TV: Southeastern San Diego is Changing: Talking with our media partners at NBC San Diego about the implications of demographic shifts in southeastern San Diego’s neighborhoods.
After Downtown Boom, New Sounds Fill Nearby Neighborhoods: Downtown redevelopment and the construction of Petco Park are altering the nearby centers of San Diego’s Latino community as whites move in.
People’s Reporter: Two Kinds of White: An important distinction to know about race and ethnicity when talking about the 2010 Census.
91 Years Old, and Fine With the Changes She’s Seen: One of southeastern San Diego’s longest tenured residents doesn’t see why there’s so much focus on electing a black representative for blacks, or a Latino representative for Latinos.
Politics and Redistricting
What a Community’s New Future Holds for its Old Leaders: As southeastern San Diego grows more diverse, black pastors — its traditional power structure — watch the future with unease.
San Diego Explained: Redistricting: We redraw the city’s political boundaries every 10 years. Here’s how.
With New Council District in Sight, Asians Prepare to Claim It: A coalition of Asian leaders wants representation on the City Council. It’s hoping to influence the historic creation of a new district and the once-a-decade redistricting process to ensure it.
Opinion: The Politics of San Diego Redistricting: The new Redistricting Commission met for the first time on October 21, 2010.
Opinion: How We Draw Our Lines: According to the state auditor, just 2,300 people have completed the application to be on California’s Citizens Redistricting Commission. The question is, who is more likely to share the political values of all Californians?
Opinion: Your City Needs You: As San Diego prepares for its redistricting process, it’s vital that qualified and diverse people apply so that they can choose a well rounded group.
Grant Barrett, engagement editor for voiceofsandiego.org: grant@voiceofsandiego.org or (619) 550-5666 or @grantbarrett on Twitter.