Social Capital

A Summary of Findings

Social capital in the Sierra Nevada is generally strong. The quality of education is generally high, demonstrated by high school seniors consistently outperforming the California average on the SAT, the standard college entrance exam. Residents’ commitment to community is exemplified through high voter participation and vested interest in funding for the arts and in local cultural activities.

Other indicators of social capital strength are as follows:

• The number of people with health insurance is higher than in the state of California

• A steady decrease in violent crimes throughout the region

• A higher percentage of home ownership than in California

• The availability, although somewhat limited, of different housing stock for different income levels throughout the region 

Some indicators, however, point to the need for additional investment. There is currently a shortage of staffed hospital beds in the entirety of the Sierra Nevada, except in the North. More children are being diagnosed with asthma and are experiencing more serious symptoms due to the increase in air pollution from commuters to and from the region. School enrollment is on the decline because of the decreasing number of young families in the region. Home prices continue to increase, displacing lower income households, forcing people to live in unaffordable housing, and inhibiting many from purchasing a home.