Social Inventory of Utica City - Case Study Example

SOCIAL INVENTORY OF UTICA The of Utica is located 55 miles east of Sycaruse on the Erie Canal in Oneida County (DiNapoli, 2013). In the early 1800s and 1900s, Utica has flourished following the industrial era in the United States. It became the center of textile manufacturing, electronic products, and machine tools manufacturing. However, by mid 20th century, the textile industry has left the city, followed by the machine industry which shuttered the financial strength of the one flourishing city. Trends and Current Conditions Educational levels The educational levels of the Utica City population that are above 25 years old, which comprises of approximately 38,994 individuals, is mainly concentrated on high school graduates at 31.6 percent and followed by individuals who were able to attend college without gaining a degree is at 20.2 percent. About 10 percent attained less than 9th grade and 11 percent were able to attend 9th to 12th grade without gaining a diploma. On the other end, 11.3 percent of the population was able to attain an associate’s degree, 10.2 percent gained bachelor’s degree, and the least are individuals who pursued graduate or professional degrees at 5.7 percent. Data also show that about 79 percent are high school graduate or higher while 15.9 percent are bachelor’s degree or higher. School enrollment recorded for school year 2012 and 2013 had almost similar numbers with 9,619 and 9,709 students respectively (NYS Educational Department). It is also important to note that gender distribution among students is equal at 50 percent of the total enrollees. However, it can be noticed that enrolment of kindergarten students reduced by about 4 percent in 2013 as compared to 2012 data. Though, results from the 2008-2012 US Census presents an average of 1127 enrollees in nursery school and preschool, 929 kindergarten, 6510 elementary school (1 to 8 grade), 3579 high school (9 to 12 grade), and 5179 students enrolled in college and graduate school. Based on the data presented by Federal Education Budget Project of New America Foundation on demographics data of Utica City, the total student population has been steadily increasing from 2008 to 2012. From 2008 to 2009, the total student population grew by about 2.4 percent, followed by a 3.4 percent growth from 2009 to 2010. However, 2010 to 2012 data indicate a slow growth in student population with only one percent increase year on year. Also, it should be noted that student census poverty rate have also steadily increased, from 36.8 percent in 2008 to 43.9 percent in 2012 which is almost twice the state average ranging from 18 to 20 percent. This also translates to a relatively high enrollment rate in the free and reduced price lunch program ranging from 73-75 percent as compared to the 44-49 percent range of the state. Income levels Due to the migration of several industries from Utica City, the community have substantially been affected by having a below average mean family income of $51,732 as compared to the state average of $96,853. US Census data also indicate that about 30.1 percent of the Utica population is below the poverty level. Based on the 5-year average census of the American Community Survey, families that earn below $15,000 comprise 24.4 percent of the Utica population while only 16.5 percent of the total households earn $75,000 and up. Average households earning $15,000 to $34,999 comprise 29.8 percent and household earnings of $35,000 to $74,999 comprise 29.2 percent. This data is relatively lower than the state average wherein 38.9 percent of households earn $75,000 and up, and only 13 percent living below $15,000. Household sizes and compositions Utica City is home to almost 24,304 households, 57.3 percent of which is composed of a family household, which is maintained by family members and unrelated individuals or subfamily (secondary) members. Married couple families constitute 33.2 percent of the total households, while female household (no husband) is 19.4 percent and male household (no wife) is 4.7 percent. Also, almost half of the households (47.3 percent) are considered nonfamily households, wherein 35.5 percent are householders living alone and 13.6 percent are 65 years old and over. Age distribution Residents of Utica City have a slightly higher percentage of young individuals as compared to the state average. Also, the population people with ages 65 and up is higher in Utica City as compared to New York (American Community Survey). Out of the total population of 61,962 in the city, 7.4 percent are under five years old, 7.3 percent are from five to nine years old, 6.2 percent are from ten to fourteen years old, 8.1 percent are fifteen to nineteen, 8.2 percent are from twenty to twenty-four years old, 13.1 percent are from twenty-five to thirty-four years old, 11.4 percent from thirty-five to forty-four years, 12.6 percent are forty-five to fifty-four, 5.6 percent are fifty-five to fifty-nine, 5.1 percent are sixty to sixty-four, 6.2 percent are sixty-five to seventy-four, 5.4 percent are seventy-five to eighty-four, and 3.5 percent are eighty-five years old and up. Gender Gender distribution in Utica City conforms to the data of the state having a more dominant number of female populations with a 5-year average of about 32,328 people comprising 52.2 percent while the male population has a number of 29,634 individuals or 47.8 percent. Ethnicity Utica city is home to a broad ancestry and ethnicity. According to the survey data of the American Community Survey, the dominant ancestry in Utica City is Italian comprising of 20.6 percent of the total population. This is followed by Irish, German, Polish, British, and American with percentages of 12.6, 11.0, 8.1, 5.4, and 3.6, respectively. Though the Welsh community has been in Utica ever since it was conceived as a village in the early 1800s, the family was not the large and was often belittled by Italian and Polish immigrants. The flock of several ethnic groups from various countries also makes the ethnicity in Utica so diverse. Ethnic groups that have emerged in Utica City include Welsh Americans, Italian Americans, Polish Americans, German Americans, Hispanic Americans, Jewish Americans, Bosnian Americans, and Lebanese and Syrian Americans (Pula, 2002). Economic Conditions With the decline of the manufacturing industry in the city, Utica has suffered a dramatic population drop, increasing unemployment rate, increasing poverty levels, and property vacancy (DiNapoli, 2013). It is also said that families residing in the city is poorer compared to other cities within the state, thus, according to the New York State Education Department, about 81% of the enrolled students in Utica City are economically disadvantaged. Budget situation in the city is also looming due to the depletion of the one-time reserve and fund balance (DiNapoli, 2013). Bond ratings and debt is also a problem for the city since Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch have downgraded its long-term and short-term borrowing ratings, respectively (DiNapoli, 2013). This condition will take a toll on the future of the city and somehow hinder development opportunities in the city. Discussion and Recommendation The sociological and demographic data presented are hard facts of the current situation in the educational system in Utica City. Earlier this year, there have been issues on the cutting of faculty and staff in one of Utica’s schools and also the closing of an Elementary School has brought distress among parents and students. Data that I was able analyze have shown that the economic condition in the city is having a huge effect on the decisions of school board members. Though data suggests that the enrollment have remained constant, factors such as unemployment level, low salary average, poverty and declining financial condition of the city will significantly affect the future of community schools in Utica. Socio-economic demographic data of Utica City was able to provide information on the reasons of recent board decisions of schools in the area. The economic condition of the city makes it vulnerable to difficult decisions such as reducing school faculty and staff and shutting down operations in order to maintain the competency and quality of education offered in the city. Decline in Bachelor’s and Professional degree holders may also be associated with the decline of the manufacturing and other industries in the area, as well as the limitation of funds to cover university expenses. I believe that the population characteristics are still critical in the social inventory, especially in Utica, followed by economic conditions, leadership, customs and traditions, and communication channels. Given the population characteristics of the city, I was able to understand further the key data that could dictate the society’s educational needs and requirements. Determining the economic condition will provide necessary information on the activities that should be done or legislations that must be passed to create a city which is conducive to the further progression of learning. Knowing key individuals (leaders) in a multicultural and multi-ethnic society will allow better understanding of the customs and traditions of such cultures and ethnicity through consultative discussion, thus, paving the way to a more engaging atmosphere. Lastly, implementation of decisions and information dissemination on current issues and discussions will effectively be carried out with the aid of proper and cost-effective communication channels – Radio, print, and TV. References American Community Survey. (n.d.). DP02: SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES 2008-2012. US Department of Commerce - Census Bureau. Retrieved from http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_5YR/DP02/1600000US3676540%7C0400000US36 American Community Survey. (n.d.). DP03: SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS 2008-2012. US Department of Commerce - Census Bureau. Retrieved from http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_5YR/DP03/1600000US3676540%7C0400000US36 American Community Survey. (n.d.). DP05: ACS DEMOGRAPHIC AND HOUSING ESTIMATES 2008-2012. US Department of Commerce - Census Bureau. Retrieved from http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_5YR/DP05/1600000US3676540%7C0400000US36 New America Foundation. (n.d.). Federal Education Budget Project. Retrieved from http://febp.newamerica.net/k12/NY/3629370 DiNapoli, T.P. (2013). 2013 Fiscal Profile: City of Utica. Office of the New York State Comptroller. Retrieved from http://www.osc.state.ny.us/localgov/pubs/fiscalprofiles/utica.pdf Pula, J.S. (2005). Ethnic Utica. Syracuse University Press. Read More