County ProfileProfile

PLACE

GEOGRAPHY

Sources: San Bernardino County Land Use Services Department, 2007 General Plan (http://cms.sbcounty.gov/lus/Planning/GeneralPlan.aspx); California State Association of Counties (www.counties.org); San Bernardino County (www.sbcounty.gov/main/pages/Cities.aspx)

20,105

Size in square miles of San Bernardino County, the largest county in the contiguous United States

24

Incorporated cities in San Bernardino County

81%

Land area outside the control of San Bernardino County or city governments

93%

County’s land area within the Desert Region

LAND USE

82%

Land area that is vacant

13%

Land area used for military purposes

2.5 million

Acres of recreational land

5%

Land area dedicated to housing, industrial, utilities, agriculture, transportation, and parks

3 out of 4

Residents living within one mile of a local park or within five miles of a regional, state or national park

8,684

Acres of County regional parks

6 acres

Parkland per 1,000 residents

Sources 1

PEOPLE

POPULATION

2,180,537

Population (2020)

16%

Projected growth between 2020 and 2045

POPULATION DENSITY

108

Persons per square mile (countywide)

3,238

Persons per square mile (Valley Region only)

AGE

In terms of absolute growth, several age groups are expected to decline in numbers between 2020 and 2045, including young children ages 0-5 (0.1% decline), children ages 6 to 17 (0.4% decline), and young adults ages 18 to 24 (0.9% decline). All other age groups are expected to see positive population growth between 2020 and 2045, with seniors ages
65 and older experiencing the highest rate of growth at 70%.

For context, the statewide population of children ages 0-5 is expected to decrease by 7% over this period, while the statewide senior population is projected to increase 61%.

In terms of relative growth, the proportion of the San Bernardino County population made up of residents ages 65 and older is projected to grow from 12% of the population in 2020 to 18% by 2045. The age group of adults ages 45-64 is expected to grow from 23% to 24% of the overall population during this timeframe. The size of all other age groups is projected to shrink in varying degrees relative to the total population.

FASTEST GROWTH RATE: SENIORS

Projected Change in Age Group Proportions of the Total San Bernardino County Population, 2020 and 2045

RACE AND ETHNICITY

At 51% of the total San Bernardino County population, Latino residents, who may be of any race, are the largest race and ethnic group in the county. Latino residents are projected to increase to 58% of the total population by 2045. White residents are projected to decrease as a proportion of the overall population, while residents identifying as Asian or Two or More Races are projected to increase slightly. The share of Black, Native American, and Pacific Islander individuals as a percent of the overall population are projected to remain the same.

INCREASING DIVERSITY OVER TIME

Projected Change in Race/Ethnic Group Proportions of the Total San Bernardino County Population, 2020 and 2045

Note: All races are Non-Hispanic. Latino is of any race.

SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS

22%

Born outside of the U.S.

43%

Speak a language other than English at home

3.3

Average household size

39%

Households with children under 18

21%

Families with children under 18 led by a single parent

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

77%

Voter turnout among population eligible to vote (2020)

83%

Voting by mail (2020)

2020 MARKS HIGHEST VOTER TURNOUT IN OVER 10 YEARS

Turnout Among Registered Voters for Presidential and Mid-Term Election Years in San Bernardino County, 2006-2020

EDUCATION

23%

Residents over age 25 with a bachelor’s degree (2019)

81%

High school graduation rate (2019/20)

Sources 2

ECONOMY

EMPLOYMENT

970,900

Number in the labor force (September 2020)

893,600

Number employed (September 2020)

77,300

Number unemployed (September 2020)

8.0%

Unemployment rate (September 2020)

INCOME

18%

Child poverty rate (2019)

13%

Overall poverty rate (2019)

$67,903

Median household income (2019)

HOUSING

$380,250

Median single-family existing home price (November 2020)

67%

Buyers who can afford an entry-level home (priced at 85% of median) (2020 Q3)

95%

Percent of households with one or
more computing device (2019)

95%

Percent of population with
Broadband access (2017)

89%

Percent of households with an
Internet subscription (2019)

Sources 3

1Places
  • San Bernardino County Land Use Department, 2007 General Plan (geography).
  • San Bernardino County Transportation Authority, 2016 (land use).
  • Creating Countywide Vision, Vision Elements, 2010 (park acreage).
2People
  • California Department of Finance, Demographic Research Unit, Table E-1, January 2020 (population).
  • California Department of Finance, Demographic Research Unit, Table P-1 (population projections).
  • San Bernardino County Land Use Department, 2007 General Plan; U.S. Census Bureau, 2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Note: Valley.
  • Region includes Ontario Census County Division (CCD), San Bernardino CCD, and Yucaipa CCD (population density).
  • California Department of Finance, Demographic Research Unit, Tables P-1 and P-2 (population projections by age and race/ethnicity) Note: “Latino” includes any race. All race calculations are non-Latino.
  • U.S. Census Bureau, 2019 American Community Survey, 1-Year Estimates, DP02 (social and household characteristics, educational attainment).
  • California Department of Education (high school graduation rate).
  • California Secretary of State (civic engagement).
3Economy
  • California Employment Development Department, Labor Market Information, Monthly Labor Force Data for Cities and Census Designated Places (CDP), November 2020 – Preliminary (unemployment rate, labor force counts).
  • U.S. Census Bureau, 2019 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, DP03 (median income, poverty).
  • California Association of Realtors, November 2020 (median sale price).
  • California Association of Realtors, First-Time Buyer Housing Affordability Index, third quarter 2020 (percent able to afford entry level home).
  • Mapping Broadband Health in America, Federal Communications Commission.
  • U.S. Census Bureau, 2019 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates (households with computing device, households with an Internet subscription).