The five-county San Francisco Bay Area region is already a majority people-of-color region, and communities of color will continue to drive growth and change into the foreseeable future. While the Bay Area economy is booming, rising inequality, stagnant wages, and persistent racial inequities place its long-term economic future at risk. In fact, closing racial gaps in income would boost the regional economy by nearly $138 billion. This is an update to an initial profile released two years ago. It was developed to assist The San Francisco Foundation in integrating equity throughout its grantmaking. Read the profile.

Read the 2015 summary (web version/download PDF) and the full profile (web version/download PDF). 

Media: Study Finds S.F.’s Ethnic Diversity Dwindling (SF Chronicle), A Startling Map of How Much Whiter San Francisco Will Be in 2040 (CityLab), S.F. Could Be Much Whiter in 25 Years, While the Rest of Region Gets More Diverse (KQED News), Study Shows San Francisco Getting Less Diverse (KGO 810 News), San Francisco Poised to be "Whitest County" in Bay Area (NBC Bay Area), SF Is on Track to Be the Whitest County in the Region (SF Curbed)

Located in the Mississippi Delta, Sunflower County is home to a resilient community of residents, local leaders, and advocates committed to reversing systemic, pervasive disparities. Looking forward, communities of color will continue to represent the majority of residents in the county. Equitable growth could provide a path to sustained economic prosperity in Sunflower County. By advancing policy strategies to grow good jobs, build healthy communities of opportunity, prevent displacement, and ensure just policing and court systems, Sunflower County can put all residents on the path toward reaching their full potential. This equity analysis was developed with the support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Read the full profile.

Biloxi, Mississippi is becoming increasingly diverse despite experiencing population decline. The city’s diversity can be a tremendous economic asset if people of color are fully included as workers, entrepreneurs, and innovators. By advancing policy strategies to grow good jobs, build healthy communities of opportunity, prevent displacement, and ensure just policing and court systems, Biloxi can put all residents on the path toward reaching their full potential. This equity profile was developed with the support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to support local community groups, elected officials, planners, business leaders, funders, and others working to build a stronger and more equitable city and region. Read the full profile.

Battle Creek, Michigan is becoming a majority people-of-color city, and communities of color will continue to drive growth and change into the foreseeable future. Embedding an equity approach throughout city government and advancing policy strategies to grow good jobs, build healthy communities of opportunity, prevent displacement, and ensure just policing and court systems, is fundamental to a brighter future for all of Battle Creek’s residents.  This equity profile was developed with the support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to support local community groups, elected officials, planners, business leaders, funders, and others working to build a stronger and more equitable city and region. Read the full profile.

Farmington, New Mexico is already 50 percent people of color; growth and transformation in the city has been driven mostly by an increase in the Latino and Native American populations. Farmington’s diversity is a major asset in the regional economy, but inequities and disparities are holding the city back. Equitable growth is the path to sustained economic prosperity in the city and region. Knowing how a community stands in terms of equity is a critical first step in planning for greater equity. This equity analysis was developed with the support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Read the full profile.

Las Cruces, New Mexico is already 63 percent people of color; growth and transformation in the city has been driven mostly by an increase in the Latino population. By growing good jobs, connecting younger generations with older ones, integrating immigrants into the economy, building communities of opportunity, and ensuring educational and career pathways, the city can secure a bright future for the city and region. This equity analysis was developed with the support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Read the full profile.

After decades of job and population loss, the City of Detroit has shown recent signs of growth. However, this Detroit Renaissance is not enjoyed equally by all residents; deep racial disparities, declining wages, and a hollowing out of middle-wage, high-opportunity jobs threaten the city’s rebound and economic viability. Equitable development strategies will be essential if growth is to have an appreciable impact on poverty, inequality, and racial disparities. This equity profile was developed with the support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to support local community groups, elected officials, planners, business leaders, funders, and others working to build a stronger and more equitable city. Read the full profile.

Since 1990, Jackson, Mississippi has experienced notable demographic growth and transformation — driven mostly by an increase in the Black and Latino populations. Today, these demographic shifts persist. By growing good jobs, connecting younger generations with older ones, integrating immigrants into the economy, Jackson can put all residents on the path towards reaching their full potential and secure a bright future for the city and region. This equity analysis of Jackson was developed with the support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Read the full profile.

With millions in public and private investments on the horizon, Buffalo, New York, is poised for resurgence. But if new investments do not address persistent racial and economic inequities, the city’s long-term economic future is at risk. This health equity and inclusive growth profile offers leaders data and strategies to undergird policy solutions to advance health equity, inclusive growth, and a culture of health. They were developed by PolicyLink and the Program for Environmental and Regional Equity (PERE) at USC, in partnership with Open Buffalo, and with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Read the policy brief and the full profile.

Grand Rapids is an increasingly diverse city. While it has experienced some overall population loss over the last decade, communities of color have significantly grown – and their ability to participate and thrive is central to the city’s success. This profile shows how equitable growth is the path to sustained economic prosperity in the region. It was developed with the support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to assist local community groups, elected officials, planners, business leaders, funders, and others working to build a stronger and more equitable city. Read the full profile and see the press release.