Five Different Californias

A new report takes a unique look at quality-of-life issues in the Golden State, measuring social well-being using health, education and income factors. The study concludes that the state is divided into 5 areas with different ecologies.

1 minute read

May 20, 2011, 9:00 AM PDT

By mishauno.woggon


The report, called A Portrait of California, comes from the American Human Development Project.

From the AHDP site:

"A Portrait of California goes beyond the state's fiscal and budgetary woes to examine the well-being of its people using the American Human Development Index, a measure based on official government data in health, education, and living standards. This timely report introduces the 'Five Californias' to highlight the varied opportunities open to differing segments of the population, and provides close-up snapshots of major metro areas."

Silicon Valley is at the top of the state's social pecking order, with the "Forsaken Five Percent," at the bottom, located in "pockets of Los Angeles and dotted around the Imperial and San Joaquin valleys," writes reporter Kim Lamb Gregory.

Thanks to Mishauno Woggon

Tuesday, May 17, 2011 in Ventura County Star

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