In July 2006, Money magazine ranked San Diego as the 5th best big U.S. city in which to live, based on its strong economy, excellent educational institutions, year-round balmy weather, and wonderful lifestyle.
No. 5 on list of Best Big Cities in Which to Live -- Money magazine, July 2006
No. 1 in 2006 Emerging Trends market ratings for investment and development -- Urban Land Institute, November 2005
A 2005 Top Business Opportunity Metro -- Expansion Management magazine
No. 1 biotech cluster in the U.S. -- the Milken Institute, June 2004
Wireless capital of the world -- NewScientist.com, July 2004
19th on Creativity Index by Richard Florida, author of The Rise of the Creative Class
If there is an authentic biotech cluster anywhere in the world, this is it -- The Economist, March 2003
16th among America´s Best Performing Cities -- the Milken Institute, November 2004
Highest concentration of wireless employment in the country -- Fast Company magazine, January 2004
Among America's top 10 most livable large cities -- Partners for Livable Communities, April 2004
Best Place for Business and Careers, 2002 -- Forbes magazine
6th in the nation as a location for technology companies to do business -- Business Facilities magazine
Source: Respective groups/publications
The birth place of California From the time the land was claimed by Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo in 1542, for Spain, it has grown rich with history. This can be seen today in the 21 missions that were built beginning with The Mission San Diego Acala, which served as the base camp for the area´s military commanders. (www.sandiegohistory.org/collections/missions)
Source: San Diego Association of Governments, 2006
Age Distribution
Age
2000
2006
2006 Percent of Total
2000-2006 Percent Change
Under 18
723,661
771,202
25.1%
6.6%
18 to 24
318,330
340,328
11.1%
6.9%
25 to 34
443,360
452,097
14.7%
2.0%
35 to 44
457,263
462,246
15.1%
1.1%
45 to 54
352,803
420,185
13.7%
19.1%
55 to 64
204,666
280,918
9.2%
37.3%
65 and older
313,750
339,844
11.1%
8.3%
Total
2,813,833
3,066,820
100.0%
9.0%
Median Age
33.2 Years
34.3 Years
Source: San Diego Association of Governments, 2006
San Diego entices visitors and future residents alike with these historical landmarks as well as with the perfect climate and 70 miles of beaches.Within its 4200 square miles, San Diego County has something for everyone´s interest ranging from the youthful ocean communities, the well-preserved nature trails, the mountains and old mining towns or the vastness and beauty of the deserts.
Source: San Diego County, 2004; California Statistical Abstract, 2004; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2004; U.S. Geological Survey, 2004. Notes: T = trace. Rainfall range is for the past 30 years.
The city of San Diego is the most populated of the 18 incorporated cities in the county and is home to 1.3 million residents.San Diego is thriving in culture and the arts.Balboa Park (www.balboapark.org), which is the largest urban cultural park in the US, hosts 15 museums, many art galleries, beautiful gardens, the Tony-award winning The Globe Theater as well as the world famous San Diego Zoo.And if that´s not enough, there are hundreds of restaurants to chose from with every type of cuisine imaginable. (www.entertainment.signonsandiego.com/section/restaurants/)
One of the favorite pastimes of visitors and residents of San Diego is spending the day at the beach. (www.sandiego.org/beaches/index.asp)There are dozens of beaches that accommodate all types of recreation, relaxation or exploration.You will find thousand of people riding bikes, running, rollerblading or just strolling along many of the miles of boardwalks by the beaches.There are also an abundance of spots to rent kayaks, surfboards, diving/snorkeling equipment or sailboats.Time spent at the beach doesn´t end when the day comes to an end.San Diego is known to have some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world.
San Diego is also home to the San Diego Chargers football team (www.chargers.com), the Padres baseball team (www.padres.com) and the Gulls hockey team (www.sandiegogulls.com).These teams have very faithful followers and show the true spirit of San Diego.
Economic Although San Diego is a wonderful place to have fun and unwind, there are also tremendous opportunities in many industries. The San Diego region continues to enjoy a diverse and vibrant economy. The local unemployment figure in June 2006 was 4.2 percent, lower than both the state of California´s 4.9 percent and the national rate of 4.8 percent. The region´s 2006 gross regional product is forecast to reach $161.1 billion, up 6.6 percent over 2005.
San Diego is a national leader in the new, knowledge-based economy. The most diversified high-tech economy in the nation, with hundreds of biotech, communications, software, Internet and information technology companies, San Diego's economic outlook continues to be the best in the world.
The San Diego region´s strong entrepreneurial spirit and high concentration of intellectual capital have fueled the growth of several technology industry clusters. The region boasts 171,868 high-tech jobs -? equating to more than 13% of all private sector jobs.
Source: Households and median income -- San Diego Association of Governments, 2006; income distribution -- U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2005 (latest available). Dollar amounts in 2006 dollars. Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.
Source: ACCRA Cost of Living Index, 2nd quarter 2006 (latest available to include San Diego County). 100 = national average.
Dominating companies such as Qualcom, Scripps, Sharp, Calloway, Sony, Merck, Pfizer, Dow and Novartis came into San Diego to form partnerships with already established companies to bring about a rapid growth by providing financial freedom to develop new products.The presence of these leading companies also helps to fuel the already deep desire for many students to choose one of the foremost schools in the country.
Business administration; chemical physics; biochemistry; computer science; ecology; engineering; information technology; marketing; geography
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla
25,938
Applied ocean science; bioinformatics; biophysics; biomedical sciences; bioengineering; cognitive science; computer science; environmental studies; materials science; space science and engineering; neurosciences; international relations
National University
Throughout San Diego County
25,684*
Software engineering; environmental engineering; business administration; finance; science accountancy; wireless communications; management; global studies; technology management; electronic business; information systems; healthcare administration; industrial-organizational psychology; multimedia arts
University of San Diego
San Diego
7,603*
Business administration; international business; international relations; global leadership; information technology; industrial and systems engineering; computer science; business economics; environmental science; mechanical engineering; physics
California State University, San Marcos
San Marcos
7,502
Biological sciences; business administration; chemistry; computer science; economics; human development
Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego
3,209*
Economic development; management information systems; industrial-organizational psychology; music business; child development; managerial and organizational communications; biochemistry; management information systems; engineering physics
Alliant International University
San Diego
2,454*
International relations; business administration; information systems and technology; managment; industrial-organizational psychology; educational psychology
Total
105,083
Source: California Postsecondary Education Commission, 2006. Enrollments are for 2005 unless noted; *2004 -- latest available.
