Today's Washington Post has a provocative article about new census data showing that population growth in the region is slowing down. Most of the slow down is attributed to out-migration rather than birth dynamics. Basically, more people are moving out of the region than are moving into it. Population growth hasn't ceased in large part because birth rates are making up the shortfall.
There is, of course, variation within the region. Net migration (number of people moving to a place minus the number of people leaving it) is still positive in parts of the region. DC still has positive net migration. So, too, do Loudoun, Prince Georges, Montgomery, and Prince William Counties. However, the city of Alexandria, and Arlington and Fairfax Counties now have negative net migration.
The Post attributes the shift in large part to "sequestration," which led to cuts in government budgets across the board. Although many municipal leaders hoped the cuts would be restored, most haven't been. And, Virginia localities, where beltway bandits set up shop, took the biggest hit.
The hand-wringing has already commenced. Unlike other parts of the country, the DMV has experienced a largely uninterrupted growth spurt, nearly 20 years by some estimates. Even the recession didn't really slow things down here. In fact, people who lost jobs in other parts of the country often found work in DC--as was the case with one of the out-migrants profiled in the story.
So, what are the consequences of negative net-migration? As with most shifts, there will be winners and losers.
Likely winners?
* The region's commuters might see a small, but measurable improvement on commuter routes.
* So, too, might metro riders. Metro ridership is already down. Factors posited to explain the drop include rising prices, poor reliability, packed trains, more telework, and a reduction in the transportation subsidy for federal workers. Ridership might decrease even more if negative net-migration continues to be a trend. In fact, most migrants to the area have been public transportation-loving millennials. If they opt to go elsewhere, then the trains might not be as packed.
* First time home-buyers might benefit as well. Inventory has been low since the 2008 recession. Indeed, many homeowners put off selling their homes, choosing to wait until housing prices rebounded to their bubble (or near bubble) levels. However, people who lose their jobs, or can't find ones to begin with (see: sequestration) are often willing to take a little less money when they sell.
* The DMV's middle and lower-income residents. They aren't complete winners (see below), but a slow down might make things a wee bit more affordable for people without top dollar incomes. For the last ten years or so most development has been targeted to the luxury market. If those people aren't coming here, developers of newly built apartments and condos might lower their prices. Fewer people and somewhat lower prices also eases the displacement pressure the city's low income residents face.
Likely losers?
* Municipal Tax Coffers. Fewer people means fewer people to tax. And, fewer tax receipts means either tax hikes, or cuts in service. It's hard to predict where tax hikes or cuts would be focused. Most likely, though, there will be more cuts than taxes. And, as a general rule, cuts usually hurt the poor more than the wealthy.
* Home Sellers. People trying to sell their homes in the DMV have been incredibly lucky when compared with the country as a whole. The DMV's housing values didn't fall as much as those in many other parts of the country, and they rebounded more quickly as well. As a result, it's been a sellers market for much of the last 5 years (purchasers at the height of the bubble excepted). With fewer people churning into the city, it will be harder to sell houses, and probably take more time as well.
* The DMV's Hipster Street Cred. After years of being described as 'dowdy,' crime-ridden, wonky, arrogant, and type A, the DMV finally started appearing in all those urban top 10 lists. You know, those lists of the 'Top 10 place to be a hipster,' or the 'Top 10 places to drink craft beer.' That could change if the millennials decide to head elsewhere. What's a hipster wonk to do? I guess they can always go back to yakking about policy over decidedly unhip (gasp) pitchers of beer.
Showing posts with label MOCO. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MOCO. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Friday, November 14, 2014
Random MOCO Pic of the Day--Less Blue than We thought?
I took this photograph a month ago on the way to Rock Hill Orchard in northern Montgomery County. At the time, it just seemed out of place, uncharacteristic of Montgomery County.
Not only was the church celebrating a Louisiana clan who became millionaires selling duck callers, it was celebrating a clan that was becoming increasingly outspoken in its support for the GOP. Sure, MOCO has ducks and duck hunters, but MOCO's made-it-big-types are more likely to be in government or tech sector. MOCO is also (usually) thought of as 'terra firma' for Democratic politicians. When I made this trip, Anthony Brown was considered a shoe in for the governor's race (in MOCO and the state).
This sign looks prophetic now. In the gubernatorial election, 37% of MOCO voters supported the state's Republican candidate, and eventual winner Larry Hogan. That's a 6% point gain over the share earned in the county by Bob Ehrlich, the 2010 Republican gubernatorial candidate.
What this change means and how permanent it is remain unclear. But, one thing is for certain--there are multiple ways to take a place's political temperature. Here's one of them!
Friday, August 22, 2014
Unaccompanied Minors in the DMV
It's official. Some of the unaccompanied minors coming across the US/Mexican border from Central America are now in the DMV. As I'll explain below, their arrival isn't surprising.
Although most Hispanics in the US are from Mexico (or have parents from Mexico), in Montgomery County they are much more likely to be from Central America (or have parents from there). The table below shows 2010 Census data on the Hispanic share of the population, and the percentage of that share by place of origin, for MOCO, Maryland, and the US.
To understand how unaccompanied minors from Central America got here let's break it down into push and pull factors. Push factors explain why a person leaves a place. Pull factors explain why they go where they go.
THE PUSH
In Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala--the 3 countries where the overwhelming majority of kids are coming from--gangs are a ubiquitous menace. Central American gangs aren't like gangs in the US who control relatively small turf in poor neighborhoods. These gangs are much bigger. In some places the control entire towns; in others they control multiple neighborhoods as well as major streets and highways. Sure, if you are a rich person in these countries you can afford to (mostly) cocoon yourself. You can hire a private security detail, live in a gated community with armed guards, and confine yourself to high end areas that are well policed by private forces.
Everybody else is left at the mercy of gangs. And, since most of these countries don't have sizable middle classes, 'everybody else' constitutes a majority of the population.
So, what are Central American gangs like? Well, you can always check out the think tank accounts (see here and here), but let me break it down in simple terms. Most gang members are young men, many of them teenagers. All teenagers have poor impulse control. These teenagers also have high caliber weapons and follow the creed that power is key and dominance is power.
If you are a parent or caregiver this is terrifying because it means that your kids can be roughed up, raped, or beaten unconscious by local gang members simply throwing their weight around. Even worse, your kids could be forced to join a gang and become one of the monsters themselves.
If you are a kid, this is terrifying AND confusing. The adults, who are supposed to be in charge, can't protect you because it's the teenagers running the show.
As a parent, my first instinct would be to get my kid out of that mix STAT! If I was living with them, we'd head out together. If I was in the US, I'd hire a coyote (a smuggler) to get them to me.
THE PULL:
Why come to MOCO? Many unaccompanied minors come to the US to be with their parents, who often work here without papers. MOCO has a higher than average concentration of Central Americans, so it's not surprising that there are reunions happening here and in other parts of the DMV.
Since this issue first hit the news, I've heard people ask "why would a parent ever leave their kids behind in the first place?" There's usually a hint of judgement behind the question, but there's also genuine curiosity. Well, let's start with the fact that there aren't nearly enough jobs to go around. And, then, even if you get a job, it is likely to be minimum wage. Central American minimum wages are abysmal (here they are just crappy). They are not enough to cover basic food staples. So, these parents leave for work, but the calculus is more than economic. If you need money for food for your kids, you're talking about survival.
I've also heard people ask the flip side of this question--why would you ever let your kid travel through Mexico unattended? The trip is truly hazardous. Everyone wants a mordida (a bribe) from migrants, and some want more than that (sexual favors, material belongings, forced labor). In light of this, people often think--"they must be mad for encouraging their kids do that." The thing is, the dangers aside, the trip opens up a light at the end of the tunnel. If you make it, things will get better. Staying behind is like accepting a tunnel with no end, no light.
When the kids come here they are, in a sense, coming home. For them, home is with family members in a safe space. We are that, at least by comparison. Yes, deportation looms, and we have our own gangs here too. But, at least for a short while, they can take a breath. And, exhale.
I hope we give them the space and sanctuary to do just that for as long as they need to.
Although most Hispanics in the US are from Mexico (or have parents from Mexico), in Montgomery County they are much more likely to be from Central America (or have parents from there). The table below shows 2010 Census data on the Hispanic share of the population, and the percentage of that share by place of origin, for MOCO, Maryland, and the US.
To understand how unaccompanied minors from Central America got here let's break it down into push and pull factors. Push factors explain why a person leaves a place. Pull factors explain why they go where they go.
THE PUSH
In Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala--the 3 countries where the overwhelming majority of kids are coming from--gangs are a ubiquitous menace. Central American gangs aren't like gangs in the US who control relatively small turf in poor neighborhoods. These gangs are much bigger. In some places the control entire towns; in others they control multiple neighborhoods as well as major streets and highways. Sure, if you are a rich person in these countries you can afford to (mostly) cocoon yourself. You can hire a private security detail, live in a gated community with armed guards, and confine yourself to high end areas that are well policed by private forces.
Everybody else is left at the mercy of gangs. And, since most of these countries don't have sizable middle classes, 'everybody else' constitutes a majority of the population.
So, what are Central American gangs like? Well, you can always check out the think tank accounts (see here and here), but let me break it down in simple terms. Most gang members are young men, many of them teenagers. All teenagers have poor impulse control. These teenagers also have high caliber weapons and follow the creed that power is key and dominance is power.
If you are a parent or caregiver this is terrifying because it means that your kids can be roughed up, raped, or beaten unconscious by local gang members simply throwing their weight around. Even worse, your kids could be forced to join a gang and become one of the monsters themselves.
If you are a kid, this is terrifying AND confusing. The adults, who are supposed to be in charge, can't protect you because it's the teenagers running the show.
As a parent, my first instinct would be to get my kid out of that mix STAT! If I was living with them, we'd head out together. If I was in the US, I'd hire a coyote (a smuggler) to get them to me.
THE PULL:
Why come to MOCO? Many unaccompanied minors come to the US to be with their parents, who often work here without papers. MOCO has a higher than average concentration of Central Americans, so it's not surprising that there are reunions happening here and in other parts of the DMV.
Since this issue first hit the news, I've heard people ask "why would a parent ever leave their kids behind in the first place?" There's usually a hint of judgement behind the question, but there's also genuine curiosity. Well, let's start with the fact that there aren't nearly enough jobs to go around. And, then, even if you get a job, it is likely to be minimum wage. Central American minimum wages are abysmal (here they are just crappy). They are not enough to cover basic food staples. So, these parents leave for work, but the calculus is more than economic. If you need money for food for your kids, you're talking about survival.
I've also heard people ask the flip side of this question--why would you ever let your kid travel through Mexico unattended? The trip is truly hazardous. Everyone wants a mordida (a bribe) from migrants, and some want more than that (sexual favors, material belongings, forced labor). In light of this, people often think--"they must be mad for encouraging their kids do that." The thing is, the dangers aside, the trip opens up a light at the end of the tunnel. If you make it, things will get better. Staying behind is like accepting a tunnel with no end, no light.
When the kids come here they are, in a sense, coming home. For them, home is with family members in a safe space. We are that, at least by comparison. Yes, deportation looms, and we have our own gangs here too. But, at least for a short while, they can take a breath. And, exhale.
I hope we give them the space and sanctuary to do just that for as long as they need to.
Friday, July 25, 2014
Random Moco Pic of the Day--Diversity in the DMV
Technically, these picture aren't in Montgomery County. I snapped them on University Boulevard just past the MOCO/PG county border.
However, they strike me as emblematic of the DMV, and two things about it in particular:
One, the DMV is incredibly diverse. Second, that diversity is frequently on display in the suburbs rather than in the city proper.
In this shopping mall you can get Mexican/Salvadoran food, African goods, Colombian clothes, and tax help in English or Spanish. Just up the street (not pictured) you can also get a sari made. Now if only there was an Irish bar and a sushi joint!
However, they strike me as emblematic of the DMV, and two things about it in particular:
One, the DMV is incredibly diverse. Second, that diversity is frequently on display in the suburbs rather than in the city proper.
In this shopping mall you can get Mexican/Salvadoran food, African goods, Colombian clothes, and tax help in English or Spanish. Just up the street (not pictured) you can also get a sari made. Now if only there was an Irish bar and a sushi joint!
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
MOCO Map of the Week--Percent Black/African American by Census Tract, 2010
Today's map looks at the distribution of Montgomery County's Black/African American population by census tract.
People who identify as Black or African American comprise 16.62% of MOCO's population. Their share in MOCO is lower than it is for the state (29.4%), but higher than it is in the country as a whole (12.6%).
A few spatial patterns stand out on today's map. First, the Black/African American population is spatially clustered in two places in the county--Gaithersburg/Montgomery Village and along the border with Prince George's County. Second, the top 5 census tracts with the highest percentages of Black/African American residents are all located on the eastern edge of the county (either bordering the county, or bordering a census tract that does). Finally, the county's Black/African American population is largely concentrated outside the beltway, despite a significant cluster along the northeastern border of DC.
Next map will look at statistically significant clusters of the Black/African American population. Stay tuned!
Map notes: The data for this map is from the 2010 census. The census does not disaggregate between people who identify as African American and those who identify as Black (usually, though not always people from other countries with African heritage).
People who identify as Black or African American comprise 16.62% of MOCO's population. Their share in MOCO is lower than it is for the state (29.4%), but higher than it is in the country as a whole (12.6%).
A few spatial patterns stand out on today's map. First, the Black/African American population is spatially clustered in two places in the county--Gaithersburg/Montgomery Village and along the border with Prince George's County. Second, the top 5 census tracts with the highest percentages of Black/African American residents are all located on the eastern edge of the county (either bordering the county, or bordering a census tract that does). Finally, the county's Black/African American population is largely concentrated outside the beltway, despite a significant cluster along the northeastern border of DC.
Next map will look at statistically significant clusters of the Black/African American population. Stay tuned!
Map notes: The data for this map is from the 2010 census. The census does not disaggregate between people who identify as African American and those who identify as Black (usually, though not always people from other countries with African heritage).
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Random MOCO Pics of the Day
One of my favorite places in Montgomery County is National Park Seminary. Strangely enough, given its name, NPS has never actually been a seminary. It started as a resort in the late 1800s, became a girls' finishing school, and later an outpost of Walter Reed Hospital. It has beautiful, if quirky architecture with a mixture of styles (An auditorium with Greek columns, some buildings that look like they belong in Dublin, and a pagoda).
Over time the maintenance of the property declined.
NPS is in the process of being redeveloped, but as these pictures show, it is a work in progress. In fact, the private property that has been developed next to the it provides an interesting contrast to the quirky, Faulkner-esque state of decline of some NPS buildings.
Over time the maintenance of the property declined.
NPS is in the process of being redeveloped, but as these pictures show, it is a work in progress. In fact, the private property that has been developed next to the it provides an interesting contrast to the quirky, Faulkner-esque state of decline of some NPS buildings.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
MOCO Map of the Week--Percent Hispanic or Latino by Census Tract 2010
This week's map shows the distribution of Hispanics in Montgomery County.
The Hispanic share of the population in Montgomery County (17%) is slightly larger than it is for the US as a whole (16%). By contrast it is double the share for Maryland as a whole (8%).
In terms of the distribution of the Hispanic population, two patterns stand out on the map below. First, Hispanics are clustered in a fairly narrow band running along a northwest-southeast axis. The band doesn't follow one particular road, but it does run through three places in the county known for having large Hispanic populations--Gaithersburg, Wheaton, and north Takoma Park. Second, most of the county's Hispanic population lives outside the Beltway (the black line at the bottom of the county).
MOCO Musings' next map will explore the degree of clustering for Hispanics. Be on the lookout for a standard deviation map! (For map lovers a 'be still my beating heart' moment!)
The Hispanic share of the population in Montgomery County (17%) is slightly larger than it is for the US as a whole (16%). By contrast it is double the share for Maryland as a whole (8%).
In terms of the distribution of the Hispanic population, two patterns stand out on the map below. First, Hispanics are clustered in a fairly narrow band running along a northwest-southeast axis. The band doesn't follow one particular road, but it does run through three places in the county known for having large Hispanic populations--Gaithersburg, Wheaton, and north Takoma Park. Second, most of the county's Hispanic population lives outside the Beltway (the black line at the bottom of the county).
MOCO Musings' next map will explore the degree of clustering for Hispanics. Be on the lookout for a standard deviation map! (For map lovers a 'be still my beating heart' moment!)
Thursday, April 24, 2014
MOCO Map of the Week--Percent Asian by Census Tract, 2010
This week's map shows the distribution of the Asian population in Montgomery County. In 2010 13.9% of the county's population was Asian.
By comparison, only 5.52 % of Maryland's population was Asian in 2010. For the US as a whole, the percent was even smaller, at 4.8%.
A couple of patterns stand out here. First, Asians tend to be clustered outside the beltway, which runs in a straight line just above the District's northern tip (the top of the triangle at the bottom of the county). Second, the census tracts with the highest percentages of Asians tend to be on the western side of the county. Next map will look at the distribution of the Hispanic/Latino population in MOCO. Stay tuned!
By comparison, only 5.52 % of Maryland's population was Asian in 2010. For the US as a whole, the percent was even smaller, at 4.8%.
A couple of patterns stand out here. First, Asians tend to be clustered outside the beltway, which runs in a straight line just above the District's northern tip (the top of the triangle at the bottom of the county). Second, the census tracts with the highest percentages of Asians tend to be on the western side of the county. Next map will look at the distribution of the Hispanic/Latino population in MOCO. Stay tuned!
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Renting in the District, Gangnam Style
I feel sorry for Emmy, a British Bulldog profiled in a Washington Post article yesterday about the competition for renters among DC's new luxury apartment complexes.
Emmy's job is to bounce between the apartments of millennials who want a bit of fur to pat after a hard day. That's right, tenants "will be able to pick her up in the lobby, take her upstairs to their apartment or for a walk, and return her as they would a library book, a DVD or bowling shoes."
Emmy's place ofbondageemployment is 2M, a new apartment complex developed by the William C. Smith & C0.
Yup, this is what luxury looks like when its marketed to millennials. Age-appropriate symbols of luxury. Your kitchen will have granite counter-tops and stainless steel appliances. You'll have cupcakes delivered on your birthday (from Georgetown Cupcakes of course because you could also end up on TV). And, the concierge will drop off your dry-cleaning while you're out hustling for a date with your wing-lady Emmy in tow.
Emmy's just the latest feature designed to make an apartment building--in this case 2M--stand out in the sea of granite counter-tops, rooftop decks, and cupcakes that has become the new DC.
What does all of this say about the DMV as a whole?
First, the District is becoming an attractive place for the wealthy to live. This wasn't the case even 15 years ago. 1-bedroom apartments at one of the new luxury properties profiled in the Post article, for example, ranged from "$1,786 to $2,347." The range was even higher for 2-bedroom apartments--"$2,315 to $3,145." That's right, some people are paying more than 3k a month for a two bedroom apartment.
But, poor and working class people haven't gone away--someone still has to work those minimum wage jobs. In fact, it's an open question whether the region is actually getting wealthier or whether the city is simply catering to the wealthy at the expense of everyone else. And, this brings us to our second trend. As the city gentrifies, working class and low income people who used to be able to afford to live in the city are now heading to the 'burbs.
Of course anyone who's tried to buy or rent in the close-in suburbs knows that rents aren't much of a bargain there either. So, poor and working class people frequently settle outside the beltway, or even further afield, in the exurbs (think Gaithersburg in MOCO).
A new distribution of wealth and poverty is emerging in the DMV. We'll keep tracking it here, and hoping Emmy finds a real owner.
Emmy's job is to bounce between the apartments of millennials who want a bit of fur to pat after a hard day. That's right, tenants "will be able to pick her up in the lobby, take her upstairs to their apartment or for a walk, and return her as they would a library book, a DVD or bowling shoes."
Emmy's place of
Yup, this is what luxury looks like when its marketed to millennials. Age-appropriate symbols of luxury. Your kitchen will have granite counter-tops and stainless steel appliances. You'll have cupcakes delivered on your birthday (from Georgetown Cupcakes of course because you could also end up on TV). And, the concierge will drop off your dry-cleaning while you're out hustling for a date with your wing-lady Emmy in tow.
Emmy's just the latest feature designed to make an apartment building--in this case 2M--stand out in the sea of granite counter-tops, rooftop decks, and cupcakes that has become the new DC.
What does all of this say about the DMV as a whole?
First, the District is becoming an attractive place for the wealthy to live. This wasn't the case even 15 years ago. 1-bedroom apartments at one of the new luxury properties profiled in the Post article, for example, ranged from "$1,786 to $2,347." The range was even higher for 2-bedroom apartments--"$2,315 to $3,145." That's right, some people are paying more than 3k a month for a two bedroom apartment.
But, poor and working class people haven't gone away--someone still has to work those minimum wage jobs. In fact, it's an open question whether the region is actually getting wealthier or whether the city is simply catering to the wealthy at the expense of everyone else. And, this brings us to our second trend. As the city gentrifies, working class and low income people who used to be able to afford to live in the city are now heading to the 'burbs.
Of course anyone who's tried to buy or rent in the close-in suburbs knows that rents aren't much of a bargain there either. So, poor and working class people frequently settle outside the beltway, or even further afield, in the exurbs (think Gaithersburg in MOCO).
A new distribution of wealth and poverty is emerging in the DMV. We'll keep tracking it here, and hoping Emmy finds a real owner.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
What's a 'living wage' in Montgomery County? the DMV?
Although there are hundreds of definitions out there for a living
wage, they are all variations on a simple theme. A living wage is
supposed cover the basic cost of living (housing, healthcare, daycare,
food, etc.).
The DMV is an expensive place to live (see my earlier blog post about how much it cost to buy a house in the DMV). But, how much do you need to make to cover the basics here? My gut says 'a lot', but my gut isn't good at math. Fortunately, MIT has a handy living wage calculator. Let's take a look for the DMV shall we?
A couple of caveats. First, a good benchmark for thinking about these wages is to consider the federal minimum wage--currently at $7.25 an hour. Second, the calculations from the site are also conservative. That is, the actual or real living wage may be higher in some places. The site's authors' note, for example, that the calculator "is likely to underestimate costs such as housing and child care" in metropolitan areas (i.e. the DMV). Finally, it is useful to keep in mind that a living wage is NOT a middle class wage. This is the wage you need to get by on. It only covers the basics--specifically: food, child care, medical costs, transportation, taxes, and an 'other category' for emergencies. What's not covered? Entertainment (going to the movies), vacation (a trip to the beach), savings (for a rainy day), education (tutoring, private school, college for you or the kids).
So, let's start with a comparison between DC, Maryland, and Virginia. (the table below is created from data selected from the website, which includes much more detailed data).
A few patterns emerge. First, DC has the highest living wage, followed by Maryland and then Virginia. Second, the living wage is higher for a single parent with one child than it is for 2 parents with 1 child. Why, you might ask? Well, single parents usually HAVE to rely on child care. In 2 parent households childcare costs can be eliminated because one parent can stay home with the child. This doesn't always happen, of course, but it CAN happen.
Now, let's look at how areas within Maryland stack up against each other. To capture the state's diversity, I'm including a rural, suburban, and urban place.
Not surprisingly, MOCO is more expensive than rural Garrett County. But, it is also more expensive than Baltimore (city). For people who live in the DMV this won't come as a surprise. Many people commute from Baltimore to DC because it costs less to live there. In this regard, even though MOCO is a suburb, its proximity to DC is both a blessing (all those free museums) and a curse (high cost of living).
Finally, a couple of points. MIT wouldn't be coming up with a living wage calculator if most people made one. We have these kind of nifty tools precisely because many people don't make a living wage--especially in expensive metropolitan areas like the DMV. Second, the federal minimum wage--$7.25--simply isn't enough to live on anymore, even in rural Garrett County (though it isn't far off).
In my next post I'll talk about how people get by in a context where they don't make a living wage. See you soon...
The DMV is an expensive place to live (see my earlier blog post about how much it cost to buy a house in the DMV). But, how much do you need to make to cover the basics here? My gut says 'a lot', but my gut isn't good at math. Fortunately, MIT has a handy living wage calculator. Let's take a look for the DMV shall we?
A couple of caveats. First, a good benchmark for thinking about these wages is to consider the federal minimum wage--currently at $7.25 an hour. Second, the calculations from the site are also conservative. That is, the actual or real living wage may be higher in some places. The site's authors' note, for example, that the calculator "is likely to underestimate costs such as housing and child care" in metropolitan areas (i.e. the DMV). Finally, it is useful to keep in mind that a living wage is NOT a middle class wage. This is the wage you need to get by on. It only covers the basics--specifically: food, child care, medical costs, transportation, taxes, and an 'other category' for emergencies. What's not covered? Entertainment (going to the movies), vacation (a trip to the beach), savings (for a rainy day), education (tutoring, private school, college for you or the kids).
So, let's start with a comparison between DC, Maryland, and Virginia. (the table below is created from data selected from the website, which includes much more detailed data).
Place
|
Living Wage
|
Adult
|
Adult,
1 child
|
2
Adults, 1 child
|
Hourly wage
|
$13.68
|
$26.37
|
$23.54
|
|
DC
|
Annual income
|
$28,454
|
$54,842
|
$48,959
|
Before taxes
|
||||
Hourly wage
|
$11.79
|
$23.41
|
$21.04
|
|
Maryland
|
Annual income
|
$24,515
|
$48,696
|
$43,757
|
Before taxes
|
||||
Hourly wage
|
$10.54
|
$20.77
|
$19.49
|
|
Virginia
|
Annual income
|
$21,927
|
$43,200
|
$40,543
|
Before taxes
|
A few patterns emerge. First, DC has the highest living wage, followed by Maryland and then Virginia. Second, the living wage is higher for a single parent with one child than it is for 2 parents with 1 child. Why, you might ask? Well, single parents usually HAVE to rely on child care. In 2 parent households childcare costs can be eliminated because one parent can stay home with the child. This doesn't always happen, of course, but it CAN happen.
Now, let's look at how areas within Maryland stack up against each other. To capture the state's diversity, I'm including a rural, suburban, and urban place.
Place
|
Living Wage
|
Adult
|
Adult,
1 child
|
2
Adults, 1 child
|
Hourly wage
|
$7.70
|
$18.59
|
$16.21
|
|
Garrett
Co.
|
Annual income
|
$16,013
|
$38,672
|
$33,715
|
Before taxes
|
||||
Hourly wage
|
$13.20
|
$25.02
|
$22.66
|
|
Montgomery
|
Annual income
|
$27,464
|
$52,049
|
$47,135
|
Before taxes
|
||||
Hourly wage
|
$11.24
|
$22.88
|
$20.51
|
|
Baltimore
|
Annual income
|
$23,373
|
$47,595
|
$42,667
|
Before taxes
|
Not surprisingly, MOCO is more expensive than rural Garrett County. But, it is also more expensive than Baltimore (city). For people who live in the DMV this won't come as a surprise. Many people commute from Baltimore to DC because it costs less to live there. In this regard, even though MOCO is a suburb, its proximity to DC is both a blessing (all those free museums) and a curse (high cost of living).
Finally, a couple of points. MIT wouldn't be coming up with a living wage calculator if most people made one. We have these kind of nifty tools precisely because many people don't make a living wage--especially in expensive metropolitan areas like the DMV. Second, the federal minimum wage--$7.25--simply isn't enough to live on anymore, even in rural Garrett County (though it isn't far off).
In my next post I'll talk about how people get by in a context where they don't make a living wage. See you soon...
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