Our Work
- Connect SoCal
- Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Awareness
- Programs & Projects
- Housing
- Economy & Demography
- Federal & State Compliance
- Sustainability
- Transportation
- Active Transportation
- Aviation Program
- Regional Pilot Initiatives Program
- The Future Communities Initiative
- Transportation Demand Management
- Transit Program
- FreightWorks
- Passenger Rail Program
- Corridor Planning
- Transportation Safety
- Transportation Finance
- Intelligent Transportation Systems
- Southern California Transportation Study
- Local Resources
- Funding & Programming
- Legislation & Advocacy
- Publications & Reports
Economy & Demography
Get the latest information on SCAG’s Southern California economic and demographic data, along with analysis and resources.
- Related Links & Resources
Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation
The Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation is a partnership between Imperial County, local cities, elected officials and utilities, united by the common vision of expanding and diversifying the regional economy.Inland Empire Economic Partnership
The Inland Empire Economic Partnership is the area’s only regional economic development organization, which works closely with business and government leaders to make the Inland Empire a great place to live, work and invest.Orange County Business Council
For over 25 years, Orange County Business Council has been the leading voice of business reinforcing the economic influence of Orange County.Southern California Leadership Council
Formed to meet this challenge, the Southern California Leadership Council was founded in 2005 as a non-partisan, non-profit, business-led public policy partnership of business and community leaders.
The Inclusive Economic Recovery Strategy (IERS) identifies ways that SCAG can work with local partners to foster inclusive economic prosperity as the region continues to recover from the economic and social disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. The IERS reflects SCAG’s commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion and the final report will help SCAG further explore the integration of policy goals related to inclusive economic growth in the development and adoption of the Connect SoCal Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Community Strategy every four years.
SCAG developed the IERS as an activity of the Racial Equity Early Action Plan in close collaboration with stakeholders and practitioners, focusing on recommendations that SCAG is well positioned to lead or implement with an appropriate partner. The SCAG Regional Council adopted the final “An Inclusive Economic Recovery Strategy for the SCAG Region” report and recommendations on July 1, 2021.
In Spring 2022, with support from State Senator Susan Rubio, SCAG received one-time grant funding from the California Workforce Development Board to implement several core recommendations from the IERS and to guide SCAG’s efforts in advancing inclusive economic growth.
As the official Southern California affiliate of the U.S. Census Bureau, SCAG compiles detailed demographic data for the region and tracks new data releases, many of which are used in developing growth projections for Connect SoCal.
- 2024 Southern California Economic Update
- Economic Roundtable
- Regional Growth Forecasting
- State Census Data Center Updates and Releases
- Job Quality Index
- Research Reports & Findings
2024 Southern California Economic Update
The “2024 Southern California Economic Update” is now available online. SCAG publishes this annual economic update with analysis covering the entire region as well as providing specific insight into the economies of Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Imperial counties. The “2024 Southern California Economic Update” reviews the past year and highlights economic trends to watch for in the coming year to assist Southern California policymakers in planning for the next 30 years.
Download the “2024 Southern California Economic Update.”
Economic Roundtable
Since 2009, SCAG has convened a team of independent economists representing the region’s counties and key specialty areas to collaborate with SCAG expert staff to assess the economic landscape of the Southern California region. In 2022, the renamed “Economic Roundtable” began meeting quarterly to discuss trends, data and current events impacting the region’s economy. Quarterly reports can be found below and on the SCAG news feed, and all accompanying economic data for the region can be visualized on and exported from the SCAG Economic Trends Tool. The “Regional Briefing Book” is SCAG’s comprehensive annual report and near-term outlook on Southern California’s economic landscape and is shared at the annual economic summit.
Economic Roundtable Updates
Economic Roundtable Members:
Imperial County
- Michael Bracken, Development Management Group, Inc.
Los Angeles County
- Shannon Sedgwick, Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation
Orange County
- Wallace Walrod, Tech Coast Consulting Group and Orange County Business Council
Riverside and San Bernardino Counties
- Manfred Keil, Inland Empire Economic Partnership and Claremont McKenna College and Robert Kleinhenz, IEEP and Kleinhenz Economics
Ventura County
- Mark Schniepp, California Economic Forecast
Sustainability
- David Roland-Holst, Berkeley Economic Advising & Research and University of California, Berkeley
Equity
- Beth Tamayose, University of California, Riverside
Economic Roundtable Updates:
Regional Growth Forecasting
SCAG develops a three-decade projection of population, household, and employment growth every four years for Connect SoCal at the region, county, jurisdiction, and Transportation Analysis Zone levels. Unlike a short-run projection, which depends heavily on economic cycles, long-run regional growth is driven by births, deaths, migration and the composition of the region’s industries relative to the rest of the country. The growth forecast process begins by convening a demographic panel of experts. Local jurisdictions provide, review and integrate project-level information through the Local Data Exchange process.
The latest growth forecast data and technical details can be found in Connect SoCal Demographics & Growth Forecast Technical Report and in agendas from SCAG’s Technical Working Group.
State Census Data Center Updates and Releases
SCAG is the officially designated Southern California affiliate to the State Census Data Center program. Statewide program information and data releases are available online through the California Department of Finance. SCAG provides brief updates and analysis on the most up-to-date population, housing, and socioeconomic trends when new data are released. Data are regularly integrated into the regional plan development process.
Job Quality Index
To create a new benchmark of understanding for the region’s job markets, SCAG has published the Job Quality Index Framework (JQI) as both a report and a database. SCAG first proposed development of a county-level job quality index for the region in the Inclusive Economic Recovery Strategy (IERS) report (2021). The state of California awarded a one-time state grant, with support from State Senator Susan Rubio (D-District 22), for SCAG to implement the IERS, including development of the Job Quality Index.
The JQI can inform policy decisions and measure progress toward a more resilient, inclusive and equitable economy for Southern California, as outlined in Connect SoCal 2024. SCAG’s Job Quality Index is weighted by the findings of a survey of 2,900 workers across demographic groups and geographic locations in Southern California. Policymakers and business leaders can benefit from a clearer understanding of what workers want from jobs to improve sector competitiveness and workplace conditions, while workers can also benefit from improvements that contribute to their quality of life.
Research Reports & Findings
The “Economic Impacts of Equity” report measures the economic effect of wage gaps between racial and gender groups and the potential benefit of closing those gaps. Read the full report online.
SCAG worked with the Population Reference Bureau to develop the “Considerations for Regional and Subregional Forecasting in California” white paper.
The “Regional Briefing Book” was SCAG’s comprehensive annual report and near-term outlook on Southern California’s economic landscape for 2023 and was shared at the annual 14th Annual Economic Summit.
As the official Southern California affiliate of the U.S. Census Bureau, SCAG compiles detailed demographic data for the region and tracks new data releases, many of which are used in developing growth projections for Connect SoCal.
