4.2       Population/Demographic Trends, Current Statistics, And Projections Districtwide

Since 1990, the service area of the college has grown by nearly 45,000 residents.  Much of this growth may be due to the recent housing boom and increase in correctional facilities and corresponding employment opportunities.

Table 4.2-1:

Estimated Population*

1990 To 1997

Source:  State of California Department of Finance, Report E-1

* Cities of Adelanto, Apple Valley, Hesperia and Victorville

Age And Gender

Across the VVC service area, the largest age category, based on Census forecasts, is 25-44 years of age, followed by 45-64 years old.

The population is nearly evenly divided among males and females, although males slightly outnumber females in the communities that surround every campus of the district.

Table 4.2-2:

Gender And Age Mix

Source:  CACI, 1997

(Forecasts from 1990 Census of Population and Housing, Summary Tape Files 1 & 3)

Household Types

At the time of the 1990 Census, about two of three households in VVC’s service area contained a married-couple family.  Nearly 14% of households were headed by a single adult, and one out of five were classified as non-family.

Table 4.2-3:

Household Types

Source:  U.S. Bureau of Census, 1990

(1990 Census of Population and Housing, Summary Tape File 3C)

Household Incomes

Based on Census projections, more than one-third of the approximate 79,800 households in the VVC service area, with typically three persons, have incomes between $25,000 and $49,999.

Table 4.2-4:

Number Of Households And Household Income

Source:  CACI, 1997

(Forecasts from 1990 Census of Population and Housing, Summary Tape Files 1 & 3)

Ethnicity

Table 4.2-5a profiles the ethnic diversity of the VVC population.  Here, ethnic diversity is measured by the percentage of the population who classified themselves in one of the Hispanic origin categories listed on the Census questionnaire.  About one out of five of the residents of four zip code areas (92301, 92345, 92368 and 92392) classified themselves within a Hispanic origin category.  The Hispanic population fell below 8% in only two zip code areas (92356 and 92397).  Table 4.2-5b summarizes the projected 1997 racial/ethnic distribution of Hispanic residents–counted in a separate category–across the VVC service area.

Table 4.2-5a:

Ethnic Diversity As Measured By The Percent Hispanic Population

Bold Italics = Least Ethnically Diverse Zip Code

Bold = Most Ethnically Diverse Zip Code

Source:  U.S. Bureau of Census, 1990

(1990 Census of Population and Housing, Summary Tape File 3C)

Table 4.2-5b:

Ethnic Mix

Source:  CACI, 1997

(Forecasts from 1990 Census of Population and Housing, Summary Tape Files 1 & 3)

* Persons of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

Educational Attainment

Table 4.2-6 profiles the educational attainment of the residents of each zip code and that of the total population, based on Census data.  Of the approximate 19% of area residents 25 years and older that received a postsecondary degree, 8% have associate degrees, 7% have bachelor’s degrees and 4% have graduate or professional degrees.

Table 4.2-6:

Educational Attainment Of Residents, 25 Years And Older

Bold Italics = Lowest Percentage In Sub-Category Zip Code

Bold = Highest Percentage In Sub-Category Zip Code

Source:  U.S. Bureau of Census, 1990 (1990 Census of Population and Housing, Summary Tape File 3)

Unemployment, Income, Poverty Levels

Table 4.2-7a summarizes the incidence of poverty in the zip codes within the VVC service area.  The table reports the percentage of persons living in households with 1989 incomes below the poverty level.  The table also reports the percentage of persons residing in households receiving public assistance income.  Unemployment rates are shown to facilitate evaluation of the economic condition of each zip code. 

Table 4.2-7a:

Unemployment, Poverty Level And Public Assistance Income Incidence

Bold Italics = Lowest Percentage In Category Zip Code

Bold = Highest Percentage In Category Zip Code

Source:  U.S. Bureau of Census, 1990 (1990 Census of Population and Housing, Summary Tape File 3)

Table 4.2-7b presents the most recent employment and seasonally adjusted unemployment data for the cities of Apple Valley, Hesperia and Victorville collected by the California Employment Development Department.

Table 4.2-7b:

Employment And Unemployment*

February 1998

Source:  Labor Market Division, Employment Development Department

* Cities of Apple Valley, Hesperia and Victorville