Event Coverage

Changes in Demographics and Wealth Bring Challenges to San Mateo County

Monday, September 4, 2006

The economic and demographic landscape of San Mateo County is changing. It’s exciting, according to San Mateo County Supervisor Jerry Hill, but with these changes come new challenges for the county.

Hill, a 34-year resident of the county, former San Mateo mayor and city council member, is San Mateo County Supervisor for District 2. He was elected to the supervisor seat in 1998 and re-elected in 2002. He was the guest speak at the San Mateo County Association of Realtors® (SAMCAR) Combined Marketing Meeting held at San Mateo’s Elks Lodge on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

Hill told SAMCAR Realtors and affiliates that San Mateo County is celebrating its 150th year, noting it was originally part of San Francisco County, until authorities decided to split the area into two counties in order to better manage corruption. Since 1856, the wealth and demographics of the county have changed, said Hill.

“We’ve become a different county, and more recently, one of haves and have nots. We’ve lost the middle class. I’m sure no one has seen it more than you Realtors,” Hill said. “Demographics have also changed as we’ve become a majority of minorities.”

Hill noted, in 1880, a third of the population was foreign born. They’re also foreign born today, but from different countries.

“We’re different, but still interesting and unique,” Hill remarked.

Hill said in 1980, 70 percent of San Mateo County’s population was Caucasion. Now, Caucasians comprise just 49.8 percent of the county, while Hispanics and Asians comprise 40 percent of the population, and that number is expected to grow.

“The changes in demographics and wealth have offered lots of challenges - in housing, in the leadership council … We’re struggling to provide affordable housing,” said Hill.

The changes present a challenge to local officials because “San Mateo County government is responsible for those who can’t take care of themselves,” according to Hill. He said this means county government is supposed to provide medical care to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.

Hill stressed, “The cost to do it is impossible … more in the tune of $65 million for individuals, which was an increase of $13 million this past year, … which is just not sustainable.”

Hill said the county guarantees health coverage for all children under the Children’s Health Initiative. This year, local government hopes to develop a plan to offer health coverage by the end of the fiscal year to all adults in the 400 percent or less poverty level.

The county supervisor disclosed that 70,000 people in the county do not have medical care coverage. These people are seen in the emergency room at the county hospital and account for over 36,000 hospital visits per year.

Hill said government officials are looking at charity care, to enable county hospitals to give charity care to the needy. They are also working with San Francisco General Hospital to have a helipad to transport emergency victims to the hospital, since the county does not have a trauma center.

San Mateo County is also seeking to improve the HOPE (Housing Our People Effectively) plan to end homelessness in the county, noting there are about 4,000 homeless people a year. The plan would provide supportive housing, so even during the day, the homeless will have a place to work out their problems, i.e. mental illness and substance abuse, in order to improve their lives.

Hill praised the San Mateo County Youth Services Center at Hillcrest, which is about a $150 million facility with a juvenile hall, girls' camp, a health assessment training division for youth and receiving home for those in need of foster care. This facility will provide an opportunity for youth to change their lives, said Hill.

Hill also reported that the county’s efforts against gang activity have been successful, as officials decided “to attack the heart of the gang activity, instead of approaching just its face.” Through tracking of gang members and concentrated efforts towards enforcement, the county was able to attack the criminal activity that had been supporting the gang activity.

The county supervisor also disclosed that officials would like to beautify El Camino Real and work with SAMTRANS to rebuild it into “a grand boulevard,” to develop housing, mixed use, and create a place to be proud of, with a functional and efficient highway.

Jerry Hill said supporting Measure A in the November ballot would mean the county’s parks and recreation would have a source of funding. Hill pointed out the county lost 35 park rangers in the last five years and that San Mateo is the only county in the Bay Area without funding for parks and recreation. He said the 1/8 sales tax increase, which amounts to about $18 a year per person, could provide over $16 million a year for county park and recreation activities, which will include after school programs for children.

In closing, Hill disclosed some interesting facts about San Mateo County:
• Of 2,500 vehicles stolen last year, 75 percent were recovered intact; 13 percent were recovered stripped; 10 percent were found wrecked; and 2 percent were found burned. The top two favorite cars of thieves: Toyota Camrys and Honda Accords.
• San Mateo County has a diversified economy, with software, bioscience, transportation, financial industries and agriculture. Though agriculture is 10 percent down this year, the top vegetable grown in the county this year is brussel sprouts.

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The San Mateo County Association of REALTORS® (SAMCAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 3,800 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula. SAMCAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in San Mateo County.

The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

For further information, please contact Julie Ziemelis, Director of Public Affairs, e-mail , or phone (650) 696-8214.

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