A Snapshot of Children on the San Diego-Mexico Border

This report presents demographic data for the border communities between San Diego, California and Mexico. Border communities are defined as those in which the percentage of persons born in Mexico and the percentage of Latinos exceeds the county averages. Border communities are home to more than three times as many children who identify as Latino than the county’s remaining communities. A table presents demographic data for border communities in San Diego County. In 2000, San Diego had almost four times as many Latino children living in families with incomes below the Federal poverty level than White children. Based on the 2000 Census, the average of the median annual household income in border communities was $12,678 less than the average of the median annual household income in other San Diego county communities. Many more children speak Spanish at home in border communities than in the rest of the county. In the 2004-2005 school year, 23 percent of children enrolled in San Diego County public schools were designated English language learners. Recommendations are offered to ensure family economic success, education, and health. Policy-makers need to invest in programs that contribute to family asset-building, including culturally competent employment, income tax credits, individual development accounts, financial education, credit counseling, and first-time home buyer services. Policy-makers should also support hard-working parents and those seeking stable employment by investing in child care programs to serve low-income families and strengthening outreach to families about the benefits of early childhood programs.