This presentation is an update to the Benicia Schools, Program Review Officer. What will follow is some new and some review information about neighborhood demographics of the Benicia district. This information will be graphically represented using maps generated by the ARC-GIS website.
Unfortunately, the BUSD website’s links to the boundary maps were not functioning when these presentations was being researched. That may be because the boundaries have been changing are recently as within the past few weeks.
he street listings above for each of the 4 electuary schools were used to draw a the lines here. The district published this listing in 2007.
Population density is sometimes greater where rental properties are more concentrated Transiency rates are often higher in these areas as well as individuals with lower incomes and educational attainment. This map shows a relatively balanced Population Density.
Looking at the regional boundaries of 4 elementary schools, Semple contains a higher level of low income families in some of neighborhoods in its zone. However, most of its population is above average in income.
Mary Farmar also has a range in income levels , but to a lesser degree than Semple. Clicking within each boundary zone reveals the range in neighborhods.
Joe Henderson elementary boundary zone has the most affluent neighborhood with little variation.
Matthew Turner is similarly populated with families with incomes between 75 to 175 thousand dollars and higher
This chart follows what is expected to be seen in relation to the Income level maps. The higher net worth resides in the neighborhoods with the higher income families.
Spending potential data measures consumer spending for retail goods by area. The number 100 means average level of spending . So. 178 in the Henderson area indicates that average spending by local consumers is 78 percent higher than the national average. There are no areas in Benicia that are below national average.
This map tells us where the kids are. However it does not tell us the exact age. This would be helpful for predicting the future trends in elementary age population. Previous data suggests the number of children is declining.
This chart is difficult to interpret on its own. If I overlay this chart with the % population under 18 we would potentially see those empty nesters.
Average Levels ofunemployment are visualized here in the Henderson and Turner zones. The Farmar and Semple areas are a few percentages higher in some areas.
Social vulnerability refers to sensitivity to this exposure due to population and housing characteristics: age, low income, disability, home value or other factors.This map depicts social vulnerability at the block group level.
Interesting to note that the Henderson Zone has both the highest and the lowest rates together within the Benicia district
This is one area I was very interested in but was not available. I think it would have a fairly large bearing on decision making for funding directions. However, education levels closely follow income and net worth. I expect to see similar patters.
We will look at each elementary zone individually.
Largest minority – Asian – I suggest they rethink their unfortunately coincidental color scheme2nd Largest minority -Black followed by “other”
The Matthew Turner zone does have some pockets of greater diversity. However, whites are over 50% of the population. If we overlaid this layer with income, we might be able to visualize if the minority populations were also residing in lower income and new wealth neighborhoods.
The Joe Henderson zone again is primarily white. But there were a larger number of charts available within its zone that showed a variation in size and mixture of minority populations
Mary Farmar’s zone has some slight variation but overall is very similar to previous data in the 3 other school zones. The data makes no connection between diversity and underserviced populations. Hispanic populations are noted in real numbers but a connection to 2nd language learners can’t be assumed.
Tapestry classifies U.S. residential neighborhoods into 65 unique market segments based on socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. For a broader market view, Tapestry consolidates segments into LifeMode and Urbanization Groups.Most everybody in Benicia has between 2 to 4 times the national income average.
After reviewing the Benicia district from so many angles and online tools, I can safely say I know more about it than my own district, where I’ve been for 15 years. I wonder if all districts have as much research data readily available on the web. The ArcGIS graphical data, while helpful in visualizing neighborhood characteristics, it did not have information that would be helpful in directing technology funding for EL students. I am confident the Semple is a good candidate. Farmar appears to has less need then Semple and Henderson and Turner’s are clearly not in financial need. How this district won a need-based grant at all is interesting. One recommendation I’d have before implementing the grant would be to consult the districts department of technology for more specific information on technology status and planning for each school. The district website does not list a bilingual education department or individuals coordinating language services. Maybe the first place to start would be to fund that position. This concludes the Presentation. Thank you Dr. Bober for extending the time for this deliverable.
