Demographics

We used just two government websites to identify key factors about the Oakland population that directly affect the culture, economy, and education levels of Oakland residents. From the US Census taken in Oakland, 2010, we found interesting general population information that is important to understand these things.

Please take into mind while reading these statistics that there is always a margin of error that is unaccounted for, as some people may not have been included in the census although it is required by the US Code.  "According to United States Code, Title 13 (Census), Chapter 7 (Offenses and Penalties), SubChapter II, if you're over 18 and refuse to answer all or part of the Census, you can be fined up to $100. If you give false answers, you're subject to a fine of up to $500" (How Stuff Works).

• Population: 390,724
• Population of 30-34 year old: exceeds that of any other age, with 34,101
• 25% of the population identifies as Hispanic/Latino
• 28% identifies as Black or African American
• 34.5% identifies as White
• 16.8% identifies as Asian

More demographics were definitely necessary to include as these may more heavily influence the structure of a home:

• 3.8% were an unmarried partner, this I would assume, using the definition of marriage at the time, would be the representation of the gay community. However, this is a speculation and is not clearly defined in the Census
• 7.9% of females living without a husband in Oakland have at least one child under the age of 18 living in their household
• 2.4% of men living without a wife in Oakland have at least one child under the age of 18 living in their household

It is important to note here, that of both populations, the percentage of single mothers and fathers were both about half of the total percentage of female and male single populations, respectively. It would have been very useful to have seen the marriage and divorce rates in Oakland paired with the single mother/father information that we were able to find.

• Unfortunately there was no information about those with or without health coverage
• 19.6% of the total population fell under the Poverty Level, in 2010 set at 

  Persons in family	Poverty guideline
  1	$10,830
  2	14,570
  3	18,310
  4	22,050
  5	25,790
  6	29,530
  7	33,270
  8	37,010
  For families with more than 8 persons, add $3,740 for each additional person.

  **THE HHS POVERTY GUIDELINES FOR THE REMAINDER OF 2010
• 8% were on foodstamps
• 34.6% were filed as 'Not in labor force,' it is not safe to say that this is the unemployment rate, but it is the only thing in the labor section related to the matter
• 59.4% of residents claimed to not be a US Citizen
• This does not legally mean that they are an illegal resident, but does include those with green cards, but the census does not eliminate the possibility that this percentage may include illegal residents

To find more information on demographics concerning Oakland, please visit 'Economic Culture' and 'ARISE High School' using the links at the top of the page.