2026-2030 Economic Development Strategic Plan

Summary Economic

Economic Base Analysis

Key Demographic and Socioeconomic Characteristics Labor Force Efficiency and Commuting Patterns Patterns in labor force efficiency and commuting behavior point to strategic opportunities for strengthening business development and improving livability across the region. The variation in commute times across subregions presents a strategic opportunity to align business growth with workforce accessibility, particularly in areas with shorter commutes that can support local employment hubs. • 46.5% of Riverside County residents work within the County, while 53.5% commute out, creating a significant resource for local job creation. • Subregional gaps are evident: • Pass Area: 16.6% of residents work locally, with the remainder commuting within the region or beyond. • Coachella Valley and Blythe: Highest local employment at 59.7%. • Commute times above average: • County average: 33.8 minutes, above state (28.98 minutes) and national (26.57 minutes) benchmarks. This section provides highlights of existing and projected demographic characteristics that influence the economic development potential of Riverside County and its subregions. This summary has been extracted from a more detailed report prepared for the EDSP process (Analysis of Key Datasets for Economic Development Strategic Plan, Appendix E).

• Southwest Subregion: Highest commute at 38.3 minutes. • Coachella Valley and Blythe: Lowest at 22.5 minutes.

12