County data reveals demographics trends and transportation insights for California's diverse population

The April 18th, 2025, meeting of the Road Charge Technical Advisory Committee convened by the California Transportation Commission focused on various aspects of transportation and demographics in one of California's most populous counties. The meeting began with an overview of the county's significant population statistics, highlighting its status as the tenth most populous county in the state, with 15 incorporated cities and a diverse urban area.

The presentation included a demographic snapshot, revealing that the county maintains the most road miles in California, with a median age of 32.6 years. The county has approximately 338,000 housing units, a homeownership rate of 54%, and a median household income of about $61,000. Notably, over 22% of the population holds a bachelor's degree or higher, while 7.3% lack any health coverage.

Discussion also addressed the county's historical population growth, which has accelerated since 1970, surpassing both national and state trends with a 47% increase. However, projections indicate a potential population decline by the 2050s, reflecting a broader trend observed across California and the nation.

The county's cultural diversity was emphasized, with a majority-minority community comprising 54% Hispanic or Latino residents and just over 27% White individuals.

Transportation infrastructure was another key topic, with over 7,000 maintained road miles. The meeting noted that 77% of commuters drive alone, with an average commute time of 23.3 minutes, ranking among the least congested regions of similar size in the country. Additionally, about 12% of the working population utilizes carpooling or vanpooling, while 7% work from home, and only a small percentage commute by bike or public transit.

The meeting concluded with a call for continued focus on transportation planning and infrastructure to accommodate the evolving demographic landscape and commuting patterns in the county. Further discussions and follow-up actions are anticipated in future meetings.