New census data help paint picture of Marin
By Mark Prado
Marin Independent Journal
Posted: 12/05/2012 09:01:00 PM PST
Marin has lots of seniors, but not so many tots — and now the U.S. Census Bureau has compiled
figures to document the age spread.
The Census Bureau on Wednesday released figures collected as part of its American Community
Survey, a detailed portrait of counties, cities and neighborhoods.
The survey gives a community a look at its population, from the young to the elderly, with data
on milestones in between including college, work and marriage.
"The American Community Survey provides the only statistics on school enrollment, jobs,
housing and many other measures for all towns and neighborhoods," said Thomas Mesenbourg,
the Census Bureau's acting director.
Among some of the notable facts about Marin:
• In Kentfield, 1.5 percent of the civilian employed population age 16 and older worked in the
manufacturing industry, the lowest percentage in the region. The East Bay city of San Lorenzo
had the highest percentage at 14.5 percent. The region's average is 8.3 percent.
• In Larkspur, 18.6 percent of households include a person 65 or older who lives alone, among
the highest percentages in the region. The average rate is 9.1 percent in the region.
"We use that census data as part of our planning process and it helps us create services and
address the needs of seniors who live alone," said Ana Bagtas, program manager with the county
of Marin's Division of Aging and Adult Services. "There is concern about
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safety for those who live alone, especially in rural communities. And as people get older,
Alzheimer's and dementia can be issues. We also look at nutrition."
Other census data also showed Marin has the highest number of people age 65 and older among
Bay Area counties, at 17.4 percent. Napa County was second with 15.3 percent of its population
in that category.
On the other end of the spectrum, Marin had the second-lowest percentage of children under age
5 at 5.4 percent. Only San Francisco had a lower percentage, with 4.5 percent.
Marin had the highest percentage of residents in the Bay Area who earned a bachelor's degree at
54.1 percent, with San Francisco second at 51.2 percent.
The data also showed that the median value of owner-occupied housing units in Marin was
$868,000, highest in the Bay Area. San Francisco was second at $785,000, San Mateo third at
$784,800. In California, the value is $458,000.
Marin residents also have the most room in the Bay Area to spread out. It has the lowest number
of people per square mile at 485. Solano follows at 503 people per square mile. San Francisco
has the highest rate at 17,179 people per square mile.
"What makes Marin so special is so much open space is protected by various agencies," said San
Rafael resident Larry Minikes, an avid hiker and president of the Tamalpais Conservation Club.
"It provides a lot of value for those of us who live here."
Contact Mark Prado via email at mprado@marinij.com
TO LEARN MORE
For more information on American Community Survey census data, visit
www.census.gov/acs/www.