DRIS Site: Humboldt/Del Norte Data

B. Economic Profile

In the Humboldt/Del Norte region, 17.3% of the population have incomes that fall below the federal poverty level and another 23.3% have incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level. In both cases, these numbers significantly exceed the averages for California. In all, this represents 40.6% of the population or an estimated 55,490 individuals. As a reference, in 1995, 100% of federal poverty guidelines for a family of 4 was $15,569, as shown in Exhibit 3.5. These numbers are compared to the State percentages in Exhibit 3.6. Of the total population, 20.7% are eligible to receive MediCal benefits compared to 16.8% of all Californians. In July 1997, 13,757 people received Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and 17,324 received food stamps.⁴

Table 3.2: Population Living in Poverty

	Humboldt/ Del Norte	California
Under 100%	23,654	3,627,585
Under 200%	55,490	8,734,520
Over 200%	81,217	20,268,699

Source: U.S. Census, 1990

Exhibit 3.5: 1995 Federal Poverty Level Thresholds

Source: U.S. Census, 1990

Exhibit 3.6: Poverty Ratios

Source: U.S. Census, 1990

Table 3.3 and Exhibit 3.7 illustrate the age distribution of the population that falls under the federal poverty level. Table S3.3-1 provides a brief comparison by county. Unfortunately, similar data on the population that falls between 100-200% of the federal poverty level were not collected in the 1990 census. Maps 3.1 and 3.2 on the following pages illustrate areas where there are the highest concentrations of persons living below the poverty level.

Table 3.3: Population Under Poverty Level by Age

	Humboldt/Del Norte		California
	# of People	% of Population	# of People	% of Population
Age Under 5	2,697	11.4%	4,411,310	12.2%
Age 5 to 11	3,881	16.4%	552,314	15.2%
Age 12 to 17	1,868	7.9%	386,651	10.7%
Age 18 to 24	4,663	19.7%	596,890	16.5%
Age 25 to 44	7,405	31.3%	1,062,400	29.3%
Age 45 to 64	2,000	8.4%	359,579	9.9%
Age 65 to 74	466	2.0%	119,470	3.3%
Age 75+	674	2.9%	108,971	3.0%

Source: U.S. Census, 1990

Exhibit 3.7: Population Under Poverty Level by Age

Source: U.S. Census, 1990

Table S.3.3-1: Number and Percent of Persons Living in Poverty by Age
Humboldt County, Del Norte County and California, 1990

Humboldt County Del Norte County California

Population Group # % # % # %

All Persons 20,910 17.2 4,795 20.2 5,449,483 17.4

Children Under 18 4,632 20.1 1,111 20.9 1,388,380 24.1

Source: U.S. Census

Exhibit 3.9 illustrates the percentage of different ethnic/racial groups that are living in poverty in the two county region. Asian/Pacific Islanders comprise 2.3% of the area population yet 40% are living below the federal poverty level. African Americans have the next highest percentage at 38.4% living below the federal poverty level followed by Native Americans at 34%.

Exhibit 3.9: Poverty Level by Ethnicity/Race

Source: U.S. Census, 1990

Other economic indicators for Humboldt/Del Norte Counties show that they lag behind the state. In 1995, California per capita income was $24,090. In comparison, per capita income for Humboldt County was $18,917 which is 78% of the California level and $14,935 for Del Norte County, 62% of the California level, as illustrated in Exhibit 3.8. When compared with the per capita income of other California counties, Humboldt County ranks 34th and Del Norte County ranks 55th of 58 counties. Median family income in 1990 was also lower for the area. Del Norte Median Family Income was $26,927, Humboldt County’s was $30,247 and California was $42,508.

Finally, level of educational attainment is often considered another measure of economic strength. In 1990, the percentage of Humboldt County’s population over the age of 25 who had not finished high school was 19.5%, 29.1% for Del Norte and 23.8% for California.⁵

Exhibit 3.8: Per Capita Income

Source: CA Department of Finance, California Statistical Abstract, 1997 (Table D-7)

Unemployment Information: The California Employment Development Department estimated that Humboldt County had a civilian workforce of approximately 60,900 in 1996 and Del Norte County had a civilian workforce of approximately 10,270. In 1997, Humboldt County had an annual seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate of 7.3% and Del Norte had a rate of 10.0%. During the same time period, California had an annual seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate of 6.3%.

Historically, Del Norte County has a higher unemployment rate than Humboldt County and they both have higher rates than the rest of California. During 1997, Humboldt County ranked 23rd in the state in terms of its unemployment percentage and Del Norte County ranked 36th.

Exhibit 3.10 compares the monthly seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates of Humboldt County, Del Norte County and California over 3 different years. Exhibit 3.11 illustrates the monthly seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate for the two county region over a three year time period, 1994-1996. This documents the cyclical patterns to the annual rates of unemployment with the highest levels occurring each year during the winter months of January through March.

Exhibit 3.10: Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rate

Source: CA Employment Development Dept, Labor Market Information Division, 1997

Exhibit 3.11: 1995 Federal Poverty Level Thresholds

Source: CA Employment Development Dept, Labor Market Information Division, 1997

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