Earth Day Network
 Urban Environment Report: How Does Your City Perform?
 
CITY ENVIRONMENT DATA
San Diego, California
State California
City San Diego
County1 San Diego
City Population (2005)2 1,208,331 3.4% of state population
City Population Rank in United States, largest 50 Cities (2005) 7 (of top 50 in U.S.)
City Population Rank in Urban Environment Report (2005) 7 (of 72 in EDN study)
City Population Rank in State (2005) 2
City Size Classification - Population Very Large
City Size Classification - Population Density Medium Low Density
State Capitol City Sacramento
State Population (2005)2 35,278,768
 
 
CIVIC LEADERSHIP INFORMATION
Mayor Name (as of 1/1/2007) Jerry Sanders
Mayor/City Website (as of 1/1/2007) http://www.sandiego.gov/mayor/
Mayor/City Contact (as of 1/1/2007) 619-236-6330
Mayor Political Affiliation (as of 1/1/2007) Republican
Next General Mayoral Election Tuesday, November 4, 2008
US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as of 10/18/06   No
State Governor Name Arnold Schwarzenegger
State/Governor Website http://www.state.ca.us/state/portal/myca_homepage.jsp
State/Governor Contact Information 916-445-2841
State/Governor Party Affiliation Republican
State Governor Current Term Ends January 1, 2011
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Note: All rank information is out of 72 cities, though not all may have reported in every category.
1 is the 'best' (least polluting, most tree cover, etc) and 72 is the 'worst'.
 

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
 
EDN VULNERABLE POPULATION INDEX (EDN VPI) 1.27    
Vulnerable Population Estimate 16.4%    
     Disability Status 10.2% 2  
     Emphysema 1.15% 33  
     Cardiovascular Disease 23.41% 27  
     Diabetes 4.91% 28  
     Pediatric Asthma 8.51% 36  
     Adult Asthma 8.01% 32  
     Adult Obesity 20.9%   30
     People Without Health Insurance 19.0%   47
     Age: Children under 5 years 7.1% 27  
     Age: 65 years and over 11.2% 44  
     Not Literate (Adult Level 1 Literacy) 21.0% 33  
     Adults without High School Degree (or higher) 15.4% 46  
     High School Drop-Out Rate 38.7% 47  
     Unemployed (Civilian Labor Force) 5.9% 12  
     Individuals Below Poverty 13.0% 18  
     Children (under 18 years old) Below Poverty 20% 31  
     Free or Reduced Lunch 46.3% 22  
     Other Languages Spoken at Home (primary language is not English) 37.3% 57  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
1 • TOXICS & WASTE     (metadata) (score) 2.8    
Overall Toxics Rank Average 31.0 (of 51) 34  
Cumulative Cancer-Causing Chemical Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 107,796,715 pounds   43
Cumulative Developmental Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 51,717,653 pounds 29
Cumulative Reproductive Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 5,264,294 pounds 31
Cumulative Suspected Neurological Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 778,603,113 pounds 40
Cumulative Suspected Respiratory Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 535,867,323 pounds 33
Dioxin Releases by State (grams in 2000) 38.7 grams 25
Number of Superfund Sites in County 1 site 16  
Municipal Solid Waste Generation, tons per person (1997) 0.989 tons per person 22
Recycling Rate (1997) 30.0% 18
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Generated by State (2004) 54,995,884 tons 50
Municipal Solid Waste Generated Per Capita by State, tons/person (2004) 1.5 tons/person 40
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 21,766,226 tons 1
% Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 39.6% 6
% Municipal Solid Waste to Waste-to-Energy (2004) 1.5% 25
% Change in Municipal Solid Waste Generated (1997 to 2004) 51.7% 38
% Change in State Recycling Rate (1997 to 2004) 32.0% 7
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
2 • AIR QUALITY     (metadata) (score) 3.1    
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Released, Tons in 2002 200 tons   4
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Released, Tons in 2002 10,800 tons   9
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Released, Tons in 2002 31,312,000 tons   18
Mercury Released, Pounds in 2002 0.0 pounds   1
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2001-2003) 12.2 days 47  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2001 - 2003) 10.3 PM2.5 60  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2001 - 2003) 15.9 PM2.5 47  
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2002 - 2004) 9.0 days 45  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2002 - 2004) 9.0 PM2.5 63  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2002 - 2004) 14.7 PM2.5 44  
EPA Ambient Carbon Monoxide (CO) (8-hr ppm) 7 ppm 63  
EPA Ambient Lead (PB) Q Max (ug/m3) 0.01 ug/m3 2  
EPA Mean Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 ppm) 0.021 ppm 41  
EPA Larger Particle (PM10) 24-hr (ug/m3) 52 ug/m3 60  
EPA Mean Ambient Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 ppm) 0.005 ppm 33  
EPA Days over 100 AQI (Warning Level) 20 days 41  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
3 • DRINKING & SURFACE WATER     (metadata) (score)    3.2***    
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Tap Water Quality & Compliance Grade Fair ---  
Right to Know Report, What's in your Tap Water Grade Fair ---  
Drinking Water Source Protection Grade (Not Available) ---  
WATERSHED & RESOURCES
Watershed Name San Diego ---  
# of Units in Watershed 93 units 18  
# of Assessed Watershed Units 69 units 17  
# of Threatened & Impaired Watershed Units 64 units 52  
% of Watershed Units Assessed as Impaired or Threatened 92.8% 50  
% of Watershed Units Not Assessed 25.8% 39  
U.S. Census Annual Rainfall, inches (1961-1990) 9.90 inches 67  
Water Area Total, square miles 2,895 square miles 20  
Water Area Inland, square miles 2,674 square miles 15  
Water Area Coastal, square miles 222 square miles 23  
Water Area Great Lakes, square miles 0 square miles 10  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Station San Diego ---  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Length of record in years 58 years 22  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Annual 42 days 57  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Station San Diego ---  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Length of record in years 58 years 21  
Snow & Ice Pellets, Annual inches (thru 1998) Trace (Not Available)  
WATER WITHDRAWN
Water Withdrawn - Total, gallons/day 45,900,000,000 gallons/day 1  
Fresh Water Withdrawn - Per capita, gallons/day 1,130,000,000 gallons/day 39  
Ground water, gallons/day 14,700,000,000 gallons/day 1  
Surface water, gallons/day 31,300,000,000 gallons/day 1  
Irrigation, gallons/day 28,900,000,000 gallons/day 1  
Public Supply, gallons/day 5,740,000,000 gallons/day 1  
Industrial, gallons/day 802,000,000 gallons/day 15  
Thermo-Electric, gallons/day 9,630,000,000 gallons/day 12  
Fresh Water Consumption, gallons/day 25,500,000,000 gallons/day 1  
WATER POLLUTION
Water Supplier City of San Diego ---  
Number of People Served by Water Supplier 1,223,400 people 11  
Year(s) Included in Summary 1998-2003 ---  
Total Contaminants Detected 27 contaminants 54  
Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 5 contaminants 52  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected 3 contaminants 26  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected 8 contaminants 57  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 2 contaminants 49  
Industrial Pollutants Detected 21 contaminants 56  
Industrial Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 2 contaminants 43  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected 5 contaminants 17  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected, Over Health Based Limits 4 contaminants 39  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected 14 contaminants 55  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 1 contaminant 33  
WATER HEALTH & TESTING SUMMARY
Contaminants in Tap Water 27 contaminants 54  
Contaminants in Tap Water, Over Health Based Limits 5 contaminants 52  
Contaminants Reported as Tested by this Water Supplier 143 contaminants 21  
Contaminants with Federal Legal Limit in Tap Water 73 contaminants ---  
Regulated Contaminants Tested 113 contaminants 22  
Unregulated Contaminants Tested 30 contaminants 17  
WATER VIOLATION SUMMARY
Total Violations 1 violation 35  
Health Violations 0 violations 1  
Monitoring Violations 1 violation 51  
Reporting Violations 0 violations 1  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
4 • QUALITY OF LIFE (SITES4)     (metadata) (score) 2.8    
DENSITY & SPRAWL
Population Density, people per square mile of land area 3,771.9 people per square mile 28  
Housing Density, units per square mile of land area 1,448.1 housing units per square mile 31  
TRANSPORTATION
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2000) 23.2 minutes 37  
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2004) 23.3 minutes 45  
Means of Transportation - % Carpool (2000) 12.2% 48  
Means of Transportation - % Public (2000) 4.2% 36  
Means of Transportation - % Walk or Bike (2000) 3.6% 32  
Means of Transportation - % Work @ Home (2000) 4.0% 6  
Cost of Living: Transportation, % of National Average 112.8 59  
Motor Vehicle Registrations per 100 Residents (2003) 85.7 MV registrations   28
% Change in Motor Vehicle Registrations (1980 to 2003) 79.3%   45
Motor Vehicle Registrations - Autos Only per 100 Residents (2003) 53.0 MV registrations   43
Motor Vehicle Registrations per Licensed Driver (2003) 1.34 MV registrations   42
Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 169,549 miles   50
Total State Highway Mileage, Estimated % of Land Area (2003) 0.247%   13
Urban Highway Mileage, % of Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 50.5%   8
Total Highway Mileage per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.01 miles   4
Total Highway Mileage per Motor Vehicle Registration (2003) 5.61 miles   2
State $ Disbursements for Highways (2003) $9,349,000,000   51
State $ Disbursements for Highways, per highway mile (2003) $55,140 per mile   42
% Change in State Disbursements for Highways (1995 to 2003) 56.7%   28
Annual Person Hours of Delay, per person (2003) 28.0 hours per person 39  
Annual Congestion Cost, $ per person (2003) $492 per person 40  
Annual Congestion Delay and Fuel Cost (2003) $1,411,000,000 37  
Fuel Wasted, gallons per person (2003) 21 gallons per person 47  
INCOME & EMPLOYMENT
Median Household Income (2004) $51,382 5  
Median Household Income (2000) $45,733 8  
Per capita income (2004) $27,741 11  
Per capita Personal Income (2000) $23,609 11  
% of Families Below Poverty Level (2004) 8.8% 12  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (1999) 14.6% 33  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (2004) 13.0% 18  
% of Households with Public Assistance Income (2000) 3.9% 32  
% of Children Under 18 Years Old Below Poverty Level (1999) 20.0% 31  
People In the Labor Force, Unemployed (2005) 36,074 people 57  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 3.9% 8  
% of the Civilian Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 5.9% 12  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2000) 3.8% 29  
% of the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000) 6.1% 37  
% Change in the Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 1.3% 15  
% Change in the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) -3.4% 16  
State Minimum Wage Laws (2006) Higher Than Federal ---  
State Minimum Wage Rates (2006) $6.75 per hour 10  
EDUCATION
# of School Age Kids K-12 (ages 5 to 17) 238,005 kids (0.7% of total pop.) 9  
Largest School District Enrollment 141,804 kids (0.4% of total pop.) 11  
% on Free or Reduced Lunch 46.3% 22  
Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) Graduation Rate 61.3% 23  
Level of Education: % with High School Degree or Higher (2004) 84.6% 27  
Level of Education: % with Bachelor's Degree or Higher (2004) 39.0% 10  
Adult Level 1 Literacy Rate 21% 33  
State School Bus Efficiency (2002) Flunked Out   ---
State School Bus Soot Pollution Grade C   ---
State School Bus Cleanup Program Rank (2006) Good   ---
State School Bus Smog Pollution Rank (2006) Poor   ---
HOUSING & COST OF LIVING
Occupied Housing Units (2004) 476,035 units 7  
% of Owner Occupied Housing 49.7% 30  
Cost of Living: Housing 235.5 69  
Cost of Living: Utilities 125.9 57  
Cost of Living: Miscellaneous 104.1 50  
Cost of Living: Overall 157.3 67  
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Voter Turnout in the Election of November 2004 60.01%   32
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2002 Election 35.10%   50
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2004 Election 49.20%   50
State Volunteering Rate: 2002-2005 Combined 25.9%   41
SAFETY/SECURITY
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 4,075.1 incidents per 100,000 people 10  
Violent Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 528.7 incidents per 100,000 people 17  
Property Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 3,546.4 incidents per 100,000 people 11  
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2003) 4,222.9 incidents per 100,000 people 10  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
5 • PARKS & RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES     (metadata) (score) 2.3    
Average # of Parks, per square mile 1.0 parks per square mile 19  
Average Area Dedicated to Parks, per city square mile 112.0 park acres per city square mile 4  
Park Area per 1000 Residents, acres 31.9 acres 4  
Parkland as % of City Area 20.4% 1  
Adjusted Park Spending, per resident $83 per resident 28  
Total City Tree Canopy % 9.5% 30  
Total City Urbanized Area % 37.7% 7  
Park Programs to Assist Low-Income Park Users Yes ---  
Disability Advisory Committees Yes ---  
Collection of Data on Crime in Parks No ---  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
6 • HUMAN & PUBLIC HEALTH     (metadata) (score) 3.0    
Pediatric Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.51% 36
Adult Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.01% 32
Chronic Bronchitis, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 3.05% 29
Emphysema, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 1.15% 33
Cardiovascular Disease, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 23.41% 27
Diabetes, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 4.91% 28  
% of Adults with Obesity (2001) 20.9% 30
Change in % of Adults with Obesity (1991-2001) 10.9% 44
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1992 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1992) 10%-14% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1997) 15%-19% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (2003) 20%-24% ---
% of Adults Lacking Healthcare Insurance, ages 18 - 65 (2001) 19.0% 45
Infant Mortality Rate (2002) 5.5% 7
Number of Cancer Deaths per 100,000 people (2002) 175.7 8
Cost of Living: Health 124.5 59  
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2003-04 Average) 18.5% 44
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2004-05 Average) 19.0% 47
Rate of Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 2.7% 35
Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 0.5% 37
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farms 7 farms 44
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farmers' Markets 8 markets 38
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Restaurants 0 restaurants 37
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Groceries 2 grocery stores 26
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Other 3 other sources 24
Cost of Living: Food 114.0 62
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Men (1999-2003) 59.1% 15
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Women (1999-2003) 38.0% 22
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
7 • GLOBAL WARMING CLIMATE CHANGE     (metadata) (score) 2.5    
Mini-Kyoto Participant, US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (as of 10/18/06) No ---
Number of State and Local Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Programs 4 programs   1
Net Metering Net Metering Offered by Only One or More Individual Utilities   ---
Net Metering Residential Size Limit 1,000 kW   3
Net Metering Commercial Size Limit 1,000 kW   3
Completed Climate Action Plans Completed State Climate Action Plan   ---
Regional Initiatives Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Inventories Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Reporting & Registries Yes   ---
States with Public Benefit Funds Funds Support Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy   ---
States with Renewable Portfolio Standards 20%   4
Date set for Renewable Portfolio Standards 2028   21
States with Green Pricing Programs Optional   ---
States with Renewable Energy Credit Tracking Systems Yes   ---
States with Mandates and Incentives Promoting Ethanol None   ---
States with Residential Energy Codes State Codes with ECPA Compliance   ---
States with Commercial Energy Codes 1999 ASHRAE or Later (ECPA Compliant)   ---
Green Building Standards for State Buildings LEED Required   ---
ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Participant (US CCP) Yes ---
% of State Generation that is from Renewable sources (2003) 31.2%   7
Average percentage of possible sunshine thru 1998: Length of record (years) 55 years 15
Average percentage of Possible Sunshine: Annual 72% 6
Annual Average wind speed, m.p.h. 7 mph 55
January Average wind speed, m.p.h. 6 mph 58
July Average wind speed, m.p.h. 7.5 mph 40
Heating Degree Days 1,256 days 3
Cooling Degree Days 984 days 26
Average Relative Humidity (%), Length of record (years) 38 years 26
Annual Morning Average Relative Humidity (%) 77% 16
Annual Afternoon Average Relative Humidity (%) 63% 55
Elevation, feet 66 feet 21
 
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
BACKGROUND INFORMATION      
SIZE & CLASSIFICATION
City Population (2005)2 1,208,331 7 (of 72 in EDN study) 3.4% of state population
City Population (2000) 1,223,400 7 (of 72 in EDN study)  
State Population (2005)2 35,278,768 1 (of 51 in EDN study)  
General Region West ---  
EPA Region 9 ---  
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
City Land Area, square miles 324.0 square miles 11 0.2% of state land area
State Land Area, square miles 155,973 square miles 3  
Watershed Name San Diego ---  
Elevation, feet 66 ft. (20.1 m) 35  
Average Daily Temperature - January 57.8°F (14.3°C) 3
Average Daily Temperature - July 70.9°F (21.6°C) 13  
DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY
Median Age 34.0 years 29  
18 years and older, % of population (2004) 74.1% 38  
65 years and older, % of population (2004) 11.2% 29  
Under 5 years of age 89,076 kids (7.1% of total pop.) 9  
One Race-White % (2005) 63.2% 36  
One Race - Non-white % (2005) 36.8% 37  
Hispanic or Latino, of any race % (2005) 25.9% 22  
% of Population who Speak a non-English Language at Home (2004) 37.3% 16  
Largest School District Name San Diego Unified ---  
 
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1 Use of the * within the County field indicates the city is in multiple counties. Typically the county for which the city serves as a county seat was selected.
2 Use of the * within the Population Rank Indicates year 2000 data was used since year 2004 data was not available.
3 Scores in parenthesis indicate partial scores, e.g. at least one scored indicator was not available or reported for this city.
4 SITES is an acronym developed by EDN as a summary for the 'Safety, Income, Transportation, Education and Sprawl' Topic.
 
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© 2006 Earth Day Network