“Low income” and "moderate income" are terms commonly used by economists, news media, social service organizations, and policymakers. How do you arrive at a definition of income levels, and how do you quantify them?

SANDAG’s latest INFO, Low and Moderate Income Households, provides details on how many residents live within the lowest income levels and the method used to define those levels. This information is used for many purposes, including determining eligibility for assisted housing programs and loans. This information helps SANDAG as well as county, city, and community-based agencies, better plan for those who need the most assistance.

The definition varies depending on the income and the number of people in the household. For example, a two-member household making $12,600 is an “extremely low income” household. A family of four making $26,250 is a “low income” household. There are more than 375,000 households in the region that are considered low income, very low income, and extremely low income. That is nearly 37 percent of all San Diego region households.

Upcoming issues of INFO will include information on detailed population and housing characteristics from the 2000 Census, the recently-released 2030 Cities/County Forecast, and current estimates of the population by age, ethnicity, and household income.

Project Manager: Kristen Rohanna
(619) 699-6918