OC Annual Citizens' Report Shows We're in a Better Financial Place Than Our Neighbors

Orange Countians out earn and enjoy lower unemployment and higher home values on average than people in other Southern California counties, according to the County of Orange Auditor-Controller's Annual Citizens' Report released today. Only San Diego County employs fewer county government employees per 1,000 citizens, finds the same OC report that also reveals public protection, public ways and facilities and health and sanitation are the top categories based on county spending.

This is the 10th year the county has released such a report, which serves as a summary for financial analysts and bond-rating agencies and has for the past nine years earned county leaders the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association.

The latest report, which covers the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012, shows a pretty hefty lead in median incomes compared to other counties, even similarly governed San Diego County:


Unemployment rates are also significantly better here:


Ditto media home prices, which easily surpass LA and San Diego counties: